A young boy has been sent to stay two years at a reformatory centre after being convicted of raping a granny aged more than four times his age.
A First Grade Magistrate court in Dowa district ordered Danniel Kwenda aged 17 to stay at Chirwa reformatory centre for two years.
The court heard from Police prosecutor Sergeant Agnes Mphinga that the young man, had raped the granny aged 73 years.
Sergeant Mphinga narrates in the court that at the time of rape, the old woman was returning from her garden with vegetables in her hands. Then Mphinga said the woman was abruptly approached by the young man demanding that she surrender her vegetables.
At that moment, the two had wrestled before the boy forcibly sent down the old woman and raped her said the prosecutor.
The court was further informed that the young man (Danniel Kwenda) works as a cowboy and was herding his cattle when he appallingly launched the attack.
The boy admitted the charge during court hearing on Friday 10th July, 2015.
Surprisingly the accused boy said the granny was “sweet.”
The First Grade Magistrate Amulani Phiri after hearing from state who asked for stiffer punishment, ordered Daniel Kwenda to be sent for 2 years at Chirwa reformatory centre because he is a child and was a first offender.
The complainant was not present at the court. According to Police Public Relations Officer for Dowa Police, Sergeant Richard Kaponda, the old woman comes from Thambwe village of T/A Mkukula in Dowa while the 17 year old boy, comes from of Mose village T/A Mazengela in Lilongwe.
The offence of rape is Contrary to section 133 of the penal code and attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment with had labour.
In an interview the police prosecutor Sergeant Agnes Mphinda said she was satisfied with the order by the court.
"He is a child and is a first offender. He grew up without his parents and proper supervision" she said, "Sending him to Chirwa is part of protecting this child. Though two years seem to be less punishment, but I hope that his stay at the reformatory centre he will learn learn a lot in terms of behaviour and skills. So he will get reformed"
However, the court also clarified that when two year period is reached, the commission at Chirwa reformatory centre will assess the boy if has really been reformed to be sent back home or extend years of his stay at the centre.
The boy raped the granny on 5th July 2015 near Dowa turn-off near to the victims village. According to Dowa Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Kaponda, the members of community managed to apprehend the boy and took him to police. He also said Dowa District Hospital examination confirmed the woman was indeed raped.
