Man wails in court after he was handed 10 year sentence for defiling minor

Iten, Kenya: Drama unfolded Thursday at Iten court when a sexual assault suspect wailed bitterly after being sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the offense.

The accused, Peter Chibeti, and a father of six, stunned the hushed court when tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably as the magistrate read out the harsh sentence.

The charge sheet read that on August 14, 2013 at around 7pm in Makutano village of Marakwet West, Elgeyo Marakwet County, the accused intentionally and unlawfully sexually assaulted a four-year old-girl by inserting his fingers in her private parts.

Chibeti, who hails from Matasia in Trans Nzoia County and was casual labourer in the region, also faced an alternate charge of an indecent act with a child.

He had been initially charged with defilement but was later substituted to a sexual assault after the medical officer certified the molestation as grievous harm when it was discovered there was no sexual contact with the complainant.

The court heard that on the material day, the complainant was sent by her mother to collect milk at a neighbour's house. The child took long to return prompting the mother to follow her since it was getting dark.

"I went to my neighbour's house, which is 100 metres away from my home, but was told that the child had not gone there. I decided to go to her grandmother's house, which is also in the same village but on my way, I heard my daughter scream at the accused house," the mother told court.

She went back to the neighbour's house screaming and together with other villagers, they stormed the accused’s house and found the child writhing in pain and in bed naked.

The accused fled as the villagers approached his house.

The minor also testified in court through an intermediary, a local children's officer, saying the man enticed her to his house and ordered her to go to bed as he undressed her while threatening her with dire consequences if she screamed.

She said the pain was unbearable prompting her to make a distress call.

He was arrested the following day and handed over to the police as the child was taken to hospital.