Embu Court where Joel Icatha was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gicheru. He pleaded not guilty. [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]
An 18-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to two counts of defilement and indecent act with a minor.
Joel Icatha was on Wednesday arraigned before an Embu court for defiling a 14-year-old girl.
According to the charge sheet, Icatha on April 3, 2021, at around 1700hrs at Kandundu village in Kithimu location Embu County, willingly and unlawfully defiled the minor contrary to the sexual offenses act.
He also faced an alternative count of performing an indecent act with a minor.
Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gicheru released the accused on a Sh200,000 bond and a Surety of Similar amount failure to which he would be remanded to Embu GK Prison until April 24 when the case will be mentioned and further directions given by the court.
Preliminary police reports indicate that the accused and the victim are school dropouts.
Charles Kinyua the Embu West Sub-county police commander had indicated that police were investigating to find out why the two had dropped out of School.
State prosecutor Mary Gakuo said she would present five witnesses in the case.
"I wish to supply the accused with copies of five witness statements who we will be relying on, a copy of the filled P3 report and medical documents will be supplied on the Mention date," Gakuo said.
