80 year-old rapist gets 30 months in jail

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An 80 year-old man in Dedza has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour for raping a girl under the age of sixteen.

The convict, Layson Jekapu Makaka, raped the child earlier this week when he dragged her into his house.

In court Makaka pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement which is contrary to section 138 subsection 1 of the penal code. Defilement charge attracts the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The court however considered the rapist’s old age and sentenced him to two and half years in prison with hard labour.

Dedza police deputy public relations officer said the conviction should be a lesson to old people in the country.

“This shall be a signal to would-be offenders, as I ever say that old age is not an excuse in criminal proceedings. If an old man commits an offence, he shall be treated as any other person, he shall be arrested and taken to the court, mitigation will be done after we did the job,” said Manda.

The rapist hails from Chapaluka village, Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza district.