News / Regional
Man jailed 18 months for bedding minor
15 Apr 2013 at 00:12hrs | Views
A Beitbridge man will spend 18 months in prison after the court convicted him of bedding a 15-year-old girl.
Ephraim Mbedzi, who resides in Chaswingo village under Chief Matibe had been charged with rape but was convicted of a lesser charge of bedding a girl under the age of consent, which is 16, after the evidence led by the prosecution failed to sustain a rape charge.
Mbedzi was accused of waylaying and raping the girl at knifepoint while she was coming from school. Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza suspended six months of the 24-month sentence leaving Mbedzi to serve an effective 18 months.
In his defence, Mbedzi offered a limited plea which the State accepted.
In passing sentence, Mr Mabeza noted that the complainant's testimony failed to sustain a rape charge against Mbedzi resulting in him being convicted of a lesser charge. Mr Johannes Tlou prosecuted.
Ephraim Mbedzi, who resides in Chaswingo village under Chief Matibe had been charged with rape but was convicted of a lesser charge of bedding a girl under the age of consent, which is 16, after the evidence led by the prosecution failed to sustain a rape charge.
Mbedzi was accused of waylaying and raping the girl at knifepoint while she was coming from school. Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza suspended six months of the 24-month sentence leaving Mbedzi to serve an effective 18 months.
In his defence, Mbedzi offered a limited plea which the State accepted.
In passing sentence, Mr Mabeza noted that the complainant's testimony failed to sustain a rape charge against Mbedzi resulting in him being convicted of a lesser charge. Mr Johannes Tlou prosecuted.
Source - TH
