LUSAKA Magistrate Alice Walusiku has convicted and committed a 42-year-old man to the High Court for sentencing on a charge of indecent assault after he admitted touching the breasts of an 11-year-old girl who went to his house to ask for fire.

The convict, after touching the girl’s breasts, gave her a K2 and warned her against telling anyone.

In this matter, Chanda is charged with two counts of indecent assault on females.

It is alleged that the accused person unlawfully and indecently assaulted two girls aged 11 and 10, in Lusaka this year.

When the matter came up for plea Wednesday, Chanda pleaded guilty in respect of the charge involving the 11-year-old girl.

However, a plea of not guilty was recorded in the other charge involving the 10-year-old girl.

When magistrate Walusiku asked him if he unlawfully and indecently touched the girl’s body, the accused said yes.

Asked where he was touching, Chanda said “on her breasts”.

Further asked if the victim allowed him to touch her breasts, the accused said no.

Also asked what the relationship is between him and the girl, Chanda said she was just his neighbour and that he was drunk when he touched her breasts.

The matter came up yesterday for facts.

Facts in this matter are that on unknown dates but between August 1 and September 18, 2020, the 11-year-old girl went to Chanda’s place to ask for fire.

However, instead of giving her what she wanted, he grabbed her by the hand and took her in his house and started touching her breasts and attempted to have carnal knowledge of her.

After that, he gave a K2 and threatened that he was going to do something bad to her if she was to tell anyone.

On September 18, 2020, Chanda was being interviewed by the chairlady for Kapasa Community on allegation that he had impregnated his neighbour’s daughter when he disclosed that he also indecently assaulted the 11-year-old in attempt to have carnal knowledge of her.

Upon hearing this, he was taken to Chelstone Police Station where the matter was reported.

A medical report was issued but examination revealed no evidence of defilement.

When interviewed by a woman constable, Chanda admitted to have touched the 11-year-old’s breasts but not that he wanted to have carnal knowledge of her.

He was charged and arrested for the subject offence.

When the facts were read to him, Chanda admitted that they were true and correct.

Magistrate Walusiku convicted him upon his own admission and committed him to the High Court for sentencing in respect of count one.

Regarding count two, the matter comes up on December 23, 2020 for mention and fixing of trial dates.

The offence of indecent assault which Chanda is charged with attracts a minimum sentence of 15 years.