adminSukulwenkosi Dube- Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A 17-YEAR-OLD Malalume Secondary School Form Four pupil in Bulilima District has been sentenced to a wholly suspended six months jail term for impregnating his 15-year-old girlfriend.
The juvenile who cannot be named for ethical reasons allegedly had sexual intercourse with his girlfriend in October last year while she was a Form 1 pupil at the same school.
The girl who is now a mother of a one-month-old baby dropped out of school early this year as a result of the pregnancy.
“We had sexual intercourse in a bushy area while we were on our way from school and I later fell pregnant. I was in Form 1 at the time and I have therefore dropped out of school as I now have a child,” said the girl.
The juvenile who pleaded not guilty to having sexual intercourse with a young person was convicted due to overwhelming against him evidence by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa.
“It seems you feel no remorse over what you did as you continue to deny the offence despite overwhelming evidence presented against you. You know exactly what you did but continue denying it.
“You have committed a serious offence which deserves a custodial sentence.
“However, I will take into consideration that you are a school pupil. From here on, make sure you concentrate on your studies and not making babies,” said Mr Ruvetsa.
He sentenced the juvenile to six months in jail which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said the girl’s parents discovered that their daughter was pregnant in March.
“On 21 September last year the juvenile proposed love to the 15-year-old girl while they were on their way from school.
“During the month of October 2015 the juvenile had sexual intercourse with his girlfriend.
“In March this year the girl’s parents realised that their child was pregnant and they questioned her until she revealed that she had been impregnated by her boyfriend,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said the matter was reported to the police resulting in the juvenile’s arrest.
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Bongani Ndlovu