Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo, Court Reporter
A 22-year-old man from Lobengula West suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for sodomising his cousin.
The man appeared before regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza and pleaded guilty saying he was too drunk to realise what he was doing.
“I am sorry for what I did and I promise not to do it again. I admit that I abused her and it is probably because I was too drunk and under the influence of alcohol,” he pleaded.
In passing sentence, Mr Mabeza said although the man’s plea of guilt was mitigatory, his crime deserved a stiff penalty.
“After considering everything that has been laid before this court, accused is therefore sentenced to seven years imprisonment of which three years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Effectively he will serve four years,” said Mr Mabeza.
Prosecuting Mr Tinashe Dzipe said the girl who is a Grade Seven pupil stays with her father and cousin.
“On August 25 at around 12 midnight the complainant was sleeping in her room. She felt someone fondling her breasts and buttocks only to find her cousin in her bed,” said Mr Dzipe.
“She told him that she wasn’t interested but he continued fondling her. He then forcibly had anal sex with her, while fondling her privates.”
The court heard that on September 4, the girl opened up and told her father who made a police report leading to the man’s arrest.
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