Gang rapist gets 5 years more on appeal, told 10 years was ‘lenient’

By County Reporter

Busia, Kenya: A man who had appealed against a ten-year sentence for a  gang-raping crime was shocked when the High Court in Busia enhanced the sentence to 15 years.

  Appearing before Justice Francis Tuiyot was Jacob Wesonga Ong’ondo who was alleged to have committed the offence jointly with his friend Victor Omarit in Mabunge village of Nasewa location of Matayos Sub County on March 20, 2011.

  The prosecution, led by Ben Kelwon told the court that the accused had been arrested by neighbours when they returned to the victim’s house allegedly to repeat their heinous crime against the complainant who is a widow.

  In his appeal, Jacob had stated that he found the initial ruling too harsh but was reminded by the presiding judge that the sentence was too lenient given the gravity of his crime.

 “Section 10 of the Constitution stipulates that such a crime should attract a jail term of not less than 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment,” Tuiyot said.

  The sentence is to run from the date of the first conviction of 10 years that was passed by justice Kimaru in April 3, 2012.

 

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Gang rapist Appeal