A 53-year-old farmer, Douglas Quentin Watt, and a grade 12 pupil have appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly engaging in sexual acts against the order of nature.

In this matter, Watt of farm number 4007 in Chisamba and the 17-year-old male juvenile are facing two counts of unnatural offences and two counts of being in possession of obscene materials but pleaded not guilty to the first two counts.

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

In count two, the juvenile on the same dates, in Lusaka, allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of Watt against the order of nature.

In count three, 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.

And in count four, the juvenile on the same date, in Lusaka, also had in possession obscene pictures and videos on a cell phone tending to corrupt morals.

And when the matter came up for plea before Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Tuesday, the duo denied the first two charges of unnatural offences.

The two could, however, not take plea for the third and forth counts of being in possession obscene material because the Director of Public Prosecution had not yet issued consent to prosecute.

Magistrate Mwale granted Watt cash bail of K10,000 and K5, 000 cash bail for the juvenile.

He ordered that the duo provide two working sureties from reputable organisations bound in the sum of K10,000 each.

This was after Watt and the 17-year-old juvenile applied for bail pending trial through their lawyers, saying they were of fixed abode and were able to provide sureties to secure their attendance.

The defence further asked for lenient bail conditions saying the juvenile was in grade 12 and was sitting for his final exams.

The matter comes up on August 6, 2019 for trial in respect of count one and two.