Life behind bars for man who defiled Grade Two pupil in Tiaty
A Kabarnet court has handed life sentence to man who defiled 10-year-old girl.
What you need to know:
- A Kabarnet court found Arekai Lorukureng guilty of defiling a 10-year-old girl.
- Seven witnesses and medical evidence confirmed the assault.
"Dare to make any noise and I will kill you."
These chilling words were spoken by 37-year-old Arekai Lorukureng from Tiaty East as he pushed open the door to a house where a 10-year-old girl lay sleeping on the night of December 20 last year.
A Kabarnet court heard how the Grade Two pupil and her younger sibling were alone in their house around 11pm. Their mother had left earlier that day to attend a cultural ceremony in the neighbouring village and had not returned.
As the children slept, the man—a neighbour known to the family—forced his way into their home. The court was told that the girl managed to identify him using a spotlight before he kicked it away. He then threatened to kill her if she screamed, covering her mouth with his hand as he violently attacked and defiled her while her younger sibling slept nearby.
Returned home
After committing the crime, Lorukureng left the child for dead and disappeared into the nearby thicket.
Terrified and in pain, the minor could not sleep for the rest of the night. The following morning, she went to a neighbour's house and recounted the horrific ordeal. Minutes later, when her mother returned home, she was informed of the incident. Together with the mother's brother, they immediately took the child to Mukutani Dispensary for medical attention, but were referred to Tangulbei Sub-County Hospital.
"We went to Tangulbei Sub-County Hospital, but we were advised to report the case at the police station first," the minor's mother told the court. "At the police station, we were issued with a P3 form, which was filled at the facility after she had been treated."
Members of the public arrested Lorukureng on December 22. He was taken to Mukutani Police Station and later transferred to Tangulbei Police Station, where he was charged with defilement and an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Sexual Offences Act.
The prosecution called seven witnesses, including the victim. Their testimonies, alongside crucial evidence and medical examination reports, all corroborated the claims brought before the court.
Wilson Rerimoi, a medic at Tangulbei Sub-County Hospital, provided damning medical evidence. "The child was brought to the facility when she was anxious, crying in pain, and afraid," Rerimoi testified. "She was complaining of pain in her hips and lower limbs. Her labia majora was blood-stained and there was a bloody discharge."
He confirmed that the minor's hymen membrane was ruptured and blood-stained, with positive signs of penile penetration.
In their sentencing submission, the prosecution emphasised the severity of the offence and urged the court to hand down a harsh sentence.
Found guilty
Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya, in delivering her verdict, stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and the evidence clearly met the threshold for the offence of defilement.
"The defence by the accused did not raise any doubt in the prosecution case," Magistrate Ateya declared. "I find that the prosecution has proved its case to the required standard and beyond reasonable doubt. The accused is found guilty of the offence of defilement and is convicted."
The magistrate emphasised the violent nature of the offence, the psychological trauma inflicted on the child, and the mandatory sentencing provisions under the law.
"I have considered the pre-sentence report and noted the recommendation therein—the accused is not suitable to serve a non-custodial sentence," she stated. "In the circumstances, the accused is hereby sentenced to serve life imprisonment."
