Spouse in disguise jailed six years for rape attempt
The Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has jailed a 24 year old man to six years imprisonment with hard labour for attempting to rape a 19 year old woman at Ekwendeni Trading Centre in Mzimba District after disguising himself as her real husband.
The court on Friday heard that the convict, Semeon Nhlema on December 31st, 2012 in the company of the victim’s husband went for a drinking spree at Chikompulazi Township as part of celebrating the New Year.
“But the convict deliberately bought his friend more beer to the extent that he was drunk. After that he sneaked out of the pub and went straight to his friend’s house.
“He entered the bedroom and found the victim, Chimwemwe Chisi, sleeping. He disguised himself as the husband and entered the blankets. He later started advances to undress Chisi demanding sex,” Mzuzu Police Station Spokesperson Sergeant Maurice Chapola said.
But for Chisi alarm bells sounded because she had earlier in the day told her real husband that she was menstruating.
“She then questioned the convict on his rather bizarre conduct. But the convict remained silent fearing that his voice would be recognized as fake if he responds. He then undressed and forcefully started undressing Chisi but she shouted for help,” the Police Publicist said.
Chapola said the convict managed to escape but forgot his sun hat, which Police used to identify him after a manhunt
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Keston Chiona pleaded with the court for a stiff sentence to act as a deterrent.
But in mitigation the convict asked for leniency saying a custodial sentence would exacerbate his ill health.
However, Senior Resident Magistrate Austin Banda in his ruling quashed the mitigation saying the convict had planned for the sexual escapade before sending him to jail.
The convict hails from Zigodo Nhlema Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District.
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