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Court Correspondent
A 32-year-old Chitungwiza man who lured his friend’s 13-year-old daughter to help him with preparations for his birthday and later had sexual intercourse with her was yesterday slapped with a three-and-a-half year jail term.

The girl is doing Form 1.

The married father of two children aged (5) and (9) told the court that he never took the girl as his own child because she was “ripe” sexually.

Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo, the man pleaded guilty to charges of sleeping with a young person.

Mr Murendo sentenced him to four years in prison, but conditionally set aside six months for five years. In handing down the sentence, Mr Murendo said the man’s blameworthiness was high.

“You took advantage of the relationship that existed between you and the girl’s parents that she could comply with your request. By engaging her to have sex, the child will continue to do so and very soon she will drop out of school and continue having sexual intercourse,” said Mr Murendo.

Prosecuting, Ms Ntombikayise Nleya proved that on October 29 the man asked the girl to meet him at Unit L service station at around 10am to help him prepare for his birthday party.

The two went to the man’s friend who stays in Zanoremba Unit L Extension where he wanted to collect his money.

On arrival, they found the man’s friend absent from home but they entered the friend’s room.

The man locked the door from inside, undressed himself before doing the same to the minor.

He slept with the girl with her consent and after the act he released the girl and she went home.