A MAN from the Guyu area in Gwanda, who has been on the run after he violated bail conditions for raping a mentally-challenged neighbour, has been jailed 19 years following his re-arrest.
The former fugitive, whose name cannot be disclosed to protect the victim’s identity, appeared at the Gwanda Regional Magistrates Court, where he was convicted and sentenced to 19 years in prison for raping his then 34-year-old neighbour with mental and physical disabilities.
He was also charged for assaulting the victim’s then 73-year-old grandmother.
The court heard that on March 12, 2018, at around sunset, the elderly woman left her granddaughter alone at home while she went to check on her maize fields.
When she returned, she heard the victim screaming.
She looked through the dining room window and saw the convict raping the victim.
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The man fled the scene upon being noticed.
He returned later and assaulted the victim’s grandmother.
A victims' neighbour helped them to file a police report, which led to the man’s arrest.
The man, who went on the run after violating bail conditions, was re-arrested following the issuance of a warrant of arrest.