US$150 fine for indecent assault

Zim Now Writer

A Chipinge man in whose custody a 17-year-old girl had been left by his co-tenant, betrayed the trust bestowed upon him and tried to rape her.

Gladman Chirayeraye, 51, of Gaza Township last week Thursday appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Alfred Chinembiri, charged with indecent assault as defined in Section 67(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Chirayeraye pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison with three months of the sentence being set aside for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining three months were further suspended on condition that he pays a fine of US$150.

Prosecutor Timothy Katsande told the court that on February 12, Chirayeraye and the complainant were at home as her mother had gone to church with his wife.

“Chirayeraye invited the complainant to the dining room and asked her about her ‘O’ Level results. He proposed love to the complainant, but she turned him down,” said Katsande.

Chirayeraye dragged the complainant towards his bedroom while fondling her in the process.

The girl wrestled with him and managed to escape before dashing to her mother’s bedroom where she locked herself inside.

She told her mother what had transpired during her absence the following morning and the mother confronted Chirayeraye.

He offered the girl’s mother US$20 and R100 in an effort to buy her silence.