Gulu High court on Wednesday sentenced a 38 year old HIV positive man to 20 years in jail for defiling a mentally retarded girl.
Bayi Odong, a resident of Koro Abili, 8 kms along the Gulu- Kampala highway was sentenced by Lady Justice Margret Mutonyi, the Gulu resident High Court judge.
Odong, had been charged with aggravated defilement contrary to section 129 (3) and 4 (a) of the penal code act.
Prosecution led by Patrick Omia told court that Odong, being a man who is aware of his HIV sero status defiled a 10-year-old girl on June 15, 2014 after he had locked her in his hut.
Prosecution stated that Odong locked the girl in his hut and defiled her.
According to the prosecution, Odong was arrested after one of his neighbors got suspicious and tipped off the girl’s aunt leading to his arrest.
Justice Mutonyi described Odong as a wicked person and said that his conduct showed how perverted his mind is.
The judge ruled that instead of defiling the girl, he (Odong) should have offered protection to the victim who is of a tender age.
Lady Justice Mutonyi said in her ruling that Odong had worsened the burden of the disabled girl by infecting her with HIV.
Aggravated defilement is a capital offence which can attract a death sentence on conviction.
