A Harare man who assaulted his 14-year-old live-in lover for misusing money appeared in court last week on charges of having sexual relations with a girl under the age of consent and of assault. Tonderai Choko (21) of Beta Bricks compound in Mount Hampden pleaded guilty to having sex with a girl under the age of consent and assault charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma.The sex charges were, however, then dropped after the State failed to produce a birth certificate to verify the girl's age.

Ms Tshuma sentenced Choko to a wholly suspended four months imprisonment term on the assault charge and he was fined US$10 (or 30 days).

In November 2012, Choko approached the teenager and proposed love to the girl who consented. Choko invited the teenager to his home on November 2. They started staying together as husband and wife.

On February 2 this year and at around 4 pm the pair had a misunderstanding over use of money.

Choko was not happy over how the teenager was spending money he gave her. As a result, he assaulted her all over the body and she reported the matter to police.

A medical affidavit was produced in court as exhibit.