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- Criminal law|Evidence Law|Witness Testimony
- Case summary
- The court considered whether the accused had committed aggravated defilement contrary to the provisions of the penal code. The court held that there had been sufficient evidence adduced at trial by testimonies of witnesses that the accused had committed the offence. All the ingredients of the girl being below 14 years, sexual act having been committed and the accused being the one responsible were available and well proved by prosecution. The court was not satisfied with the accused’s defense of alibi that on the fateful day he left early morning to carry sugar cane as it was found in the testimonies of the victim and the father that the accused was well known to them as a village mate and had been able to identify him with torch light moreover it was coming to morning. Accordingly court held that the evidence on record was sufficient to sustain the indictment of aggravated defilement against the accused hence he was guilty and accordingly convicted.
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA
HOLDEN AT MBALE
HCT-04-CR-SC-0124-2012
UGANDA.…………….…………………….……………………PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
MAKU MICHEAL…….…………..………….. …………………….ACCUSED
BEFORE: THE HON. MR. JUSTICE HENRY I. KAWESA
JUDGMENT
The accused Maku Micheal is indicted of defilement c/s 129 (3) (4) (a) of the Penal Code Act. It was alleged that Maku Michael on the 27th day of November 2011 at Butta village in Bulambuli District performed sexual act with Nagudi Catherine aged (9) nine years.
Accused denied the charge.
The burden of proof is upon the prosecution. The ingredients are:
That the girl was below 14 years.
That there was sexual intercourse.
That accused is responsible.
The above ingredients must be proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt. I will therefore consider the following issues:
Whether there was sexual intercourse of a girl below the age of 14 years.
The prosecution during the preliminary hearing tendered in PF.3 (medical examination report) of the victim Nagudi Catherine, which shows that:
She was aged nine years.
Had signs of penetration.
Had an intact hymen.
Had injuries of laceration in labia and urethra.
The injuries were found to be about 4 hours old.
PW.1 (Nagudi Catherine) informed court that she had been sexually molested by accused in the morning of 27th November 2011.
In the case of Uganda v. Bogere (1994-5) HCB 26, it was held that it was not necessary to prove hymen rapture, as the slightest penetration is enough.
PW.2 the father of PW.1 confirmed that PW.1 was sexually assaulted.
The above evidence is conclusive enough to prove that:
Sexual intercourse took place.
That the victim was below 14 years at the time.
The two ingredients are therefore proved.
The next ingredient is whether the accused was responsible for the sexual assault.
In defence accused put up the defence of alibi, stating that on the fateful day he left home early and went to carry sugarcane.
However, PW.1 (victim) in her testimony stated that she knew the accused very well as a villagemate. She was able to recognize the accused because it was towards morning, and there was moonlight. She further stated that she called her father in that process and he immediately came. Her father (PW.2) told court that he left accused sitting on the veranda of his house. In the night he heard the children crying and rushed there. He found accused running out of the house pulling his trousers. He had a torch, chased him and arrested him.
The identifying of this accused by the two witnesses of the prosecution is unchallenged. The conditions for identification were conclusive. There was moonlight according to (PW.1) and PW.2 had a torch. Secondly accused had been seen by PW.2 drinking from within their homestead, and he was arrested from the same place running from the house. The accused was well known to PW.1 and PW.2. Accused himself says PW.2 knows him well, but he has a grudge against him, which led to the concoctions. I do not believe that line of defence. Accused seemed untruthful. His attempt to deny and claim innocence was betrayed by his unsworn testimony which did successfully remove him from the scene of crime.
The evidence of prosecution of identification when considered cautiously remains intact, with no other possible conclusion save the inference that the accused person committed the offence.
This ingredient is therefore proved.
In their joint opinion, both assessors advised this honourable court to find the accused person liable on the charge. I concur with them. Accused is found liable. The prosecution has proved beyond doubt that Maku Micheal on 27th November 2011 at Butta village performed a sexual act with Nagudi Catherine aged 9 (nine) years. He is convicted as charged.
Henry I. Kawesa
JUDGE
22.01.2014
22.01.2014
Accused present.
Resident State Attorney: Chekwech for State.
Jude Wamimbi (for Obedo).
Resident State Attorney: For judgment.
Court: Judgment read and delivered to parties as above.
Henry I. Kawesa
JUDGE
22.01.2014
Resident State Attorney:
Convict is a first offender. Maximum is death. The convict was 38 years old. The victim was 9 years of age. The difference was grave but he ought to have given parental protection to the victim. He has spent 2 years on remand. These offences are rampant. Young girls are sexually abused the convict be given a deterrent sentence that will deter him from committing it again and help him rehabilitate.
Henry I. Kawesa
JUDGE
22.01.2014
Jude:
The convict is a first offender has spent 2 years 1 month on remand. He is capable of reforming. I pray for appropriate sentence.
Henry I. Kawesa
JUDGE
22.01.2014
Accused: I pray that I be set free to go and take care of my family. I am the bread winner.
Sentence: Convict is a first offender. The offence is rampant. On conviction maximum is death- however the mitigations and circumstances will lead to leniency. Accused has spent 2 years 1 month on remand. He shall be sentenced to a custodial period of 10 years. I so order.
Henry I. Kawesa
JUDGE
22.01.2014
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