adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 48-YEAR-OLD Inyathi security guard has been jailed for indecently assaulting a form three pupil whom he accused of attempting to extort US$1 from him. Collen Mpofu will serve 13 effective years in jail for inserting his fingers into his neighbour’s daughter’s privates and sucking her breasts.
He pleaded not guilty before regional magistrate Mark Dzira.
Mpofu claimed that the girl made a false report against him as he had refused to give her a dollar she wanted.
Magistrate Dzira convicted Mpofu of aggravated indecent assault.
“In coming up with your sentence the court considered that you’re a first offender who is a single father of three minor children.
‘‘However you committed a very serious crime and deserve a deterrent sentence.
“Such crimes are on the rise and we must sentence you in a way that will deter you and like-minded offenders.
You stripped the girl of respect by committing such an inhumane offence and there’s no way she was going to lie against you considering that both families were in good relations,” said Dzira.
Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe, said Mpofu called the girl to his room claiming he wanted to send her to the shops.
“On February 22 this year, the girl was sent to the shops and was stopped by Mpofu who asked her to get into his house to collect money for the groceries he wanted,” said Dzipe.
“Mpofu told the girl to wait outside the door and he entered into the house.
‘‘He came out of the house carrying the money and grabbed the girl into the house while pretending to give her money.”
The court heard that Mpofu forced the girl to sit on the bed and started fondling her breasts.
“Mpofu went on to suck her breasts and later inserted his fingers into her privates. The girl managed to sneak out of the house and ran away,” he said.
derick.khumalo