A 17-YEAR-OLD Gwanda teenager has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexually abusing a three-year-old toddler from his area.

The teenager pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated indecent assault when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence against him. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Two years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. 

In his defence through his lawyer, Mr Bukhosi Ncube of Mlweli Ndlovu and Associates the juvenile said the minor came to him complaining of pains in her private parts and he only checked to see what the problem was but did not sexually abuse her.

“The complainant came to my client sobbing while scratching her private parts and complaining that she was in pain. He then lifted the complainant’s skirt in order to check but he didn’t touch her. The complainant later went back to her home and my client was surprised to see the complainant’s aunt coming to him claiming he had sexually abused the complainant,’’ he said 

Prosecuting, Mr Silent Shoko said the teenager inserted his finger in the complainant’s private parts. 

He said on April 25, the 17 year old was cleaning his father’s car when he called the complainant and told her to get into the car. 

Mr Shoko said while they were in the vehicle, the teenager removed the complainant’s underwear and inserted his finger into her private parts.

He said the complainant returned home crying and she revealed to her aunt what had been done to her.

Mr Shoko said the matter was reported at a local police station resulting in the teenager’s arrest.

-State Media