Corpun file 20124

The Citizen, Dar es Salaam, 26 February 2008

Dar man jailed 30 years for defilement

By Rosina John

A Dar es Salaam resident was yesterday jailed for 30 years and ordered to receive 12 strokes of the cane for defilement.

Jackson Mnyawaga, 18, was found guilty of defiling a four-year-old girl and will also have to pay the victim Sh300,000 in compensation.

Passing judgement, the Kisutu resident magistrate, Ms Euphemia Mingi, said she was convinced that the accused committed the offence.

She said the prosecution had presented enough evidence to convict the accused for the offence committed in 2006.

She further said that Mnyawaga deserved the tough sentence due to the seriousness of the offence that could cause serious psychological effects on the victim and also lead to HIV infection.

Ms Mingi further said she slapped a heavy sentence on the accused to serve as a deterrent to others with similar habits. The prosecution was led by assistant inspector of police Pamphil Mohollel.

In mitigation, Mnyawaga pleaded for leniency saying he was suffering from tuberculosis.

He had been arrested and charged in November 2006 after news spread that he defiled the girl on October 17 at Bunju area, Kinondoni district.

2007-Mwananchi Communications LTD