A middle-aged man, Ekene Nweke, was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour, by Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki, for raping a 20-year-old girl.

The court, presided over by Ebonyi State Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, sentenced Nweke for raping one Blessing (surname withheld) on February 21, 2011.

The prosecutor, Mrs Nkem Chukwu, told the court that Nweke on the stated date had carnal knowledge of the complainant without her consent at her residence in Abakaliki.

Chukwu said the offence was contrary to Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State.