An 18-year-old man from Epworth has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl. The incident occurred on July 5, 2024, when the accused lured the young girl to his house under the pretense of returning a pen borrowed by his father.
According to court reports, the girl’s mother had gone to Overspill Shopping Centre, leaving her and her younger sister alone at home. The accused’s father had borrowed a pen from the complainant earlier in the day but did not return it. The accused then called the girl to his house, claiming he wanted to return the pen. When she arrived, he dragged her inside, slapped her twice, and threatened to kill her if she made any noise. He then tripped her, removed her clothes, and raped her.
The crime came to light when the girl’s mother returned home and, noticing her daughter’s slippers at the accused’s door, became suspicious. She entered the house and found the accused putting on his trousers while the girl lay half-naked on the floor. The mother immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
The Harare Magistrates’ Court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
