19-year-old man gets life in prison for defiling minor

Julius Odhiambo Otieno was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of defiling an eight-year-old girl at Kamreri village in South Kamagambo,  Rongo sub-county, Migori County.. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  VIVERE NANDIEMO

What you need to know:

  • According to Rongo police boss Jonathan Muganda Kisaka, the suspect met the minor as she was going home from school.

  • Parents and relatives of the minor hailed the judgment terming it just.

  • However, the parents of the convicted,  Mr John Otieno Okach and Mrs Milka Nyabone, expressed their dissatisfaction with the judgment.

A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of defiling an eight-year-old girl at Kamreri village in South Kamagambo,  Rongo sub-county, Migori County.

While delivering his judgment on Wednesday, Rongo magistrate Raymond K. Lang'at said the accused, Julius Odhiambo Otieno, acted intentionally and unlawfully and contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

"Having carefully considered all the evidence in record, the court is convinced that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person committed the offence of defilement contrary to section 8(1) (2) of the sexual offences act No.3 of 2006 that warrants life imprisonment," Mr Lang'at said in his ruling in court.

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LESSON

The suspect was arrested last year in Kamreri village.

According to Rongo police boss Jonathan Muganda Kisaka, the suspect met the minor as she was going home from school and lured her into a nearby sugarcane plantation where he defiled her several times.

Parents and relatives of the minor hailed the judgment terming it just. "At last justice has been served. Our child was treated to a heinous act but we are happy with the ruling," said Ms Mercy Awuor, a relative.

Children’s rights activists in the region also expressed their satisfaction with the ruling, arguing that it will serve as a lesson to paedophiles.

DISSATISFIED

"We are glad the court sentenced the suspect to life imprisonment. This will serve as a deterrent. We need to protect our children from sex pests," said Ms Lucy Mnyika, a children's rights activist.

However, the parents of the convicted,  Mr John Otieno Okach and Mrs Milka Nyabone, expressed their dissatisfaction with the judgment, maintaining that their son was innocent. They vowed to appeal the ruling.

"Our son never committed this offence. He was at home at the time the alleged incident occurred. We will appeal the case," said Mr Otieno.

There was drama in the court when after hearing the judgment, the mother of the convict started wailing uncontrollably. "My son did not do this!  He is innocent!" she shouted.

The accused has, however, been given 14 days to appeal in case he is not satisfied with the ruling.

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