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Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 50-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man allegedly indecently assaulted his stepdaughter and bribed her with biscuits.

The accused, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the complainant, resides in New Magwegwe suburb. The man appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with aggravated indecent assault.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to March 24 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said sometime last week, the accused called his nine-year-old stepdaughter and instructed her to bring him some water behind their house.

“On March 12, 2017 at around 7PM, the complainant was called outside by the accused person.

“Her mother instructed her to go and find out why she was being called. The accused person then lured the complainant to a secluded place behind the house where he told the complainant that he loved her. He then hugged her and inserted his hands in her undergarments and private parts. He gave her a packet of biscuits after the act,” said Mr Mageza.

The matter came to light when the complainant narrated her ordeal to her mother. She immediately escorted her to Magwegwe police station to file a report.

The accused person attempted to evade arrest by spending most of his time away from home.

However, one night police raided his home and found him sleeping leading to his arrest.

—@andile_tshuma.