A 57 year old peasant farmer of Nyimba District has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 12 year old granddaughter for three consecutive times.
High Court Judge Mungeni Mulenga who is handling criminal cases at Chipata High Court, jailed Blackson Tembo of Million Village, Chief Luembe who stood charged on one count of defilement contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence were that Tembo on unknown dates but between 1st August and 13th December last year, had carnal knowledge of his granddaughter.
Tembo readily admitted to the charge and told the court that he enjoyed his granddaughter despite not knowing that she was 12 years of age.
And in mitigation through Legal Aid Board Senior Legal Officer, John Phiri, the accused pleaded with the court to exercise maximum leniency on him as he was a first offender.
He said he was staying with a grand-daughter for six years adding that he had a loan with Dunavant which he needed to pay back.
But Ms. Justice Mulenga said she had heard what was in the mitigation and slapped a 30 years imprisonment sentence with hard labour.