Man jailed for defilement acquitted after appeal

[Photo: Courtesy]

A man jailed for attempting to defile a nine-year-old girl has been released by the High Court after he appealed.

Sammy Mugo was sentenced to 20 years in jail on August 3, 2016, by Mukurweini Principal Magistrate Victor Chianda.

He was found guilty of committing the offence on June 6, 2015, at Gatura village in Mukurweini. He filed an appeal through lawyer Wahome Gikonyo.

The lawyer told Lady Justice Abigail Mshila that the magistrate failed to record crucial procedures.

“The trial court failed to record the questions put to the minor, nor was it recorded whether the minor understood the nature of an oath," said Gikonyo.