A casual labourer was jailed for 20 years by a Kiambu Court on Wednesday for defiling a mentally challenged minor at Karuri, Kiambu County last year. Kiambu Principal Magistrate Mr Justus Kituku said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Thomas Kimani Kinuthia, 50, was found red handed defiling the minor in his house by hawk-eyed neighbours.
He regretted that the accused took advantage of the condition of the complainant to defile her despite him knowing her for some time since they were neighbours.
Kinuthia had been charged that on January 13, 2014, he unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl without her consent.
He pleaded not guilty and had been in custody after he failed to raise a cash bail of Sh200,000 and one surety.
According to the prosecution led by Inspector Kigondu Kariuki, the complainant was walking home from school when the accused accosted her and took her to his house.
Neighbours who saw her being led to the accused’s house followed and when they opened the door, they found the two naked in the act on the floor.
She was examined at Karuri health centre and confirmed to have been defiled. The accused was arrested and charged with the offence.
In mitigation, the accused pleaded for leniency, saying he thought the complainant was mature.