Monduli rapist reaps 30- year jail sentence

by Happy Lazaro

After admitting in court of raping a woman last month, a resident of Monduli district found himself being sentenced to serve 30 years in jail.

Karai Leringe (32), who reportedly pounced onto the unsuspecting victim in the evening of September 20 at about 8:30, has also been ordered to give her a cow valued at Tsh.100,000, in addition to the jail sentence.

During the proceedings, the public prosecutor, Inspector Pius Paul told the Monduli district court that the accused committed the unlawful sexual act in Monduli Juu village of the district.

According to the court charges, Leringe took the woman by force when the she was drawing water from the village well, in Monduli Juu.

The accused, according to the prosecution, had forced carnal knowledge of the woman at the then deserted well area. The victim later reported the matter to the Police.

Leringe was arrested and taken to court where after a few hearings, he admitted to have committed the offence.

The Monduli District Magistrate, Godrick Mammba on issuing the sentence, told the court that rape cases were becoming rampant despite the HIV-AIDS threat therefore, a stringent punishment was needed to deter others from committing the offence.

Apart from the 30-year jail sentence, the defendant was also required to pay the woman a Tsh.100,000 worth of cow prior to starting the said jail term.

According to the district magistrate, the sentence was issued mainly because the accused had committed the crime purposely and with a sane mind, knowing exactly that what he was doing was both morally and legally wrong.

Last modified: October 23, 2003.
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