Pilot faces charges as girl, eight, is defiled

Ledama Sultan in the dock at a Milimani courts where he was charged with defiling a minor aged 8 years . The crime was commited at Oasis Estate in Langata. [Photo: George Njunge / Standard]

A pilot was yesterday charged before a Nairobi court with defiling an eight-year-old girl.

Ledama Sultan (above) is said to have committed the offence last December 30, in South C Estate, Lang'ata sub-county.

The court heard that because of the ordeal she went through, the victim attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of their house and suffered serious injuries.

Ledama, who works at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, faced another separate charge of indecent act with a child.

He denied both charges before Milimani Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot.

The prosecution, led by head of children's division in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Caroline Karimi, opposed Ledama's application for bail.

“Your honour, the victim was severely traumatised by the painful ordeal to the extent of attempting to commit suicide by jumping through the window of their house on fourth floor. As a result, the victim got fractured and was admitted to Nairobi Hospital,” she said.

Doctors found

In her affidavit, Ms Karimi noted that Ledama was a relative to the victim. "After examining the child, doctors found she had been defiled. They gave the information to the mother, who maintained that the child had not been attacked. It has taken three months of counselling for the girl to reveal the perpetrator because he is a relative," Karimi said.

She further said Ledama had influence on the child, meaning if freed, he might interfere with her testimony.

"The suspect is also a flight risk due to the nature of his work. He is a pilot with many friends across the world. His mother and siblings live in the US. The accused may abscond or take off if released on bail. Evidence we have so far is sufficient to secure a conviction,” said Karimi.

She added: "This matter has attracted a serious public debate and interest and attracts a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. These are also likely to tempt the accused to abscond.” 

The magistrate said he would rule on the bail terms at a later date