Father in court for indecent assault

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A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Pumula South in Bulawayo appeared in court facing aggravated indecent assault charges for allegedly caressing his 13-year-old daughter.

A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Pumula South in Bulawayo appeared in court facing aggravated indecent assault charges for allegedly caressing his 13-year-old daughter.

PRESTIGE GAMA OWN CORRESPONDENT

He appeared before the Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Chipumha Dube to answer charges of violating Section 66 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody on free bail.

In his defence, the man told the court that he never caressed his own daughter nor did he touch her private parts.

“I have been sharing a bed with my daughter from the time she was born till today (and) what would make me want to caress her now,” he said.

“Sometimes children speak things jokingly and other people take them seriously. She was just joking, but I am held accountable for such indecency.”

Prosecutor Kenneth Shava told the court that on the period extending from November 2014, the man was left in the custody of his daughter.

While they were watching a movie, she fell asleep and he carried her to bed.

When the girl woke up to go to the toilet, her father allegedly pulled her back and caressed her all over the body.

“He started touching my private parts and I became so scared. I then told our neighbour in the morning and was accompanied to the police station to report the matter,” the girl testified.