Bodaboda rider gets life sentence for sodomising a boy

THE Sumbawanga District Court in Rukwa region has sentenced to life imprisonment, a bodaboda rider, Alex Augustine after he was found guilty of defiling a nine-year old boy.

Augustine is a resident of Kashai area in Sumbawanga Municipality, Rukwa region.

The trial magistrate, Mr Uutor Bigambo delivered the judgment on October 12, this year after Augustine was found guilty of the crime.

“I’m passing this harsh sentence so that it can serve as a lesson not only to you, but also to others who are thinking of committing similar crime.

The crime you committed against the minor is inhuman and barbaric,” he ruled.

Furthermore, the trial magistrate said the prosecution side proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Augustine committed the felony.

Prosecuting State Attorney, Ms Marietha Maguti assisted by Ms Ashura Ally summoned to court four witnesses to substantiate the case beyond reasonable doubt.

State Attorney, Ms Maguti charged before the court that Augustine committed the crime between November 2020 and November 21, 2021.

She further told the court that Augustine fled to Katavi region for a brief hiding shortly after the news of his crime he committed broke out.

According to the charge sheet, Augustine had been paid by the boy’s parents to take him to the station to board the school bus to and from home.

It was further clarified that the school bus which the victim was travelling in, was parking far from the home of the family of the minor.

It was further alleged that several times the bodaboda rider, before returning the victim back home, took him to an unfinished building where he committed the crime.

According to the charge sheet, it became an ordinary practice for the offender to commit the crime that he even threatened to kill the boy in case he revealed the malpractice to the public.

It was clarified before the court that the mother of the child noted that her minor was experiencing difficulties in walking, prompting her to inspect the boy before she was shocked to find out the boy had sustained injuries in his private parts.

The parents reported the incident to the police station, causing law enforcers to take the boy to the health facility for medical scrutiny and treatment.

Police officers successfully tracked Augustine before arresting him in Katavi region where he had taken refuge. He was then deported to Sumbawanga town in Rukwa region to face his charges.

On mitigation, the convicted prayed for mercy, claiming he was the first offender who also had wife and children entirely depending on him.