THE State has closed its case in a matter in which a farmer is charged with unnatural offenses and possession of obscene material.

Meanwhile, the arresting officer in the matter has testified that he received a report of two male persons who were booked at a lodge.

The officer further testified that there was suspicion that the accused person was having unlawful carnal knowledge with the person he was found with in that room.

This is a matter in which Douglas Quentin Watt of farm number 4007 in Chisamba is charged with two counts of unnatural offences and possession of obscene material.

In count one, it is alleged that on unknown dates but between May and July 17, 2019, in Lusaka, Watt had unlawful carnal knowledge of a 17-year-old boy against the order of nature.

In count two, Watt on July 17, this year, in Lusaka, allegedly had in possession of obscene pictures and videos on a cell phone tending to corrupt morals.

Watt was initially jointly charged with the 17-year-old juvenile but the State entered a nolle prosequi in the boy’s favour.

When the matter came up for continued trial before Chief Resident Margisrate Lameck Mwale, Wednesday, the arresting officer in the matter testified that he received a report of two male persons who were booked at Gonde lodge on July 17, 2019.

Chief Inspector George Bwalya said it was also reported that the booking was done in a suspicious manner.

“On July 17, 2019, I reported on duty at Chelstone police station at 07:40 hours. Whilst on duty around 13:00 the same day, I received a report of two male persons who were booked at Gonde lodge and according to the reporter, the client booked there in a suspicious manner. I, together with the officer in charge, Mr Mutima, and with deputy officer in charge, chief inspector Kumwenda and other officers rushed to Gonde lodge where we found a white man and a black young boy booked in room number four,” he testified.

Bwalya said on arrival, Watt’s phone was immediately confiscated and that and after issuing of a warn and caution statement, he ordered the accused person to open the phone where he later found obscene images.

“I saw that there were suspicious images on it. Your honour, the images which I saw looked like obscene matters. I then decided to subject the phone to forensic examination. At that time your honour, I called detective inspector Zyambo from cyber security office at police service headquarters who I handed the phone to and in turn, he handed it over to forensic experts at force headquarters,” he said.

The witness added that Watt was also subjected to a medical examination at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital as there was suspicion that he was having unlawful carnal knowledge with the person he was found with in the room.

“The very day, I subjected this person for examination at Levy Mwanawasa hospital, where he was examined and a medical report was issued. He was examined for unnatural offences. There was suspicion that this person was having unlawful carnal knowledge with the person he was found with in that room. I was also present, he was examined on the anus by the doctor,” testified Bwalya.

He further testified that during the course of his investigation, he also visited Royal Shalom lodge where the accused and his companion were alleged to have visited on two occasions under different names.

Bwalya added that the accused denied the charge.

During cross examination, defence lawyer Garry Chibangula asked whether the accused person was caught in the act but Bwalya responded in the negative adding that he did not find anything irregular at that particular time.

Chibangula then asked for an adjournment as the State had closed its case and prayed for 14 days in which to file written submissions.

The matter has since been adjourned to May 5, this year, for ruling on a case to answer.