Corpun file 24436 at www.corpun.com
The Herald, Harare, 21 March 2013
Teen to receive strokes for bedding minor
By Court Reporter
A Chitungwiza magistrate yesterday sentenced a 16-year-old boy to receive three strokes of the cane for bedding his 13-year-old girlfriend.
The boy from Chitungwiza intercepted the girl on her way home from a tuck shop where she had been sent to buy a packet of kapenta by her parents.
He waylaid her and led her to a house still under construction and became intimate with her.
The boy pleaded guilty to contravening provisions of the law which stipulate that it is an offence to engage in sexual activity with young girls.
Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo sentenced him to receive corporal punishment.
In assessing the sentence, Mr Murendo considered that young offenders need to be punished since cases of that nature were prevalent.
Mr Murendo said engaging in premature sexual relationships led to cases of unwanted pregnancies resulting in baby dumping.
Prosecutor Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa proved that on December 9 last year, at around 8pm, the girl was sent by her parents to buy a packet of kapenta.
On her way back, she met her boyfriend who asked her to join him in a house which was still under construction.
While inside, they became intimate and she went home where it was discovered by her aunt that she was having difficulties in walking. The aunt quizzed her and she narrated what had happened. She took the girl to the police and reported the case leading to the boy's arrest.
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