Embattled Athletics coach Wemali faces fresh defilement charges

Wemali tried to hide his face from the cameras as he arrived at court on Monday

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Embattled athletics coach was on Monday further remanded till June 5 when his case comes up for mention at Kapchorwa Chief Magistrate’s Court.

KAPCHORWA. Athletics coach Peter Wemali’s troubles worsened on Monday after it emerged that police have slapped three fresh charges of defilement against him.

The coach, incarcerated since April 15 when he was arrested for defiling three national runners, appeared at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kapchorwa but was further remanded till June 5 as inquiries on two of the three files are incomplete. The new charges, now bring to six, the number of girls he is accused of defiling.
Like during the previous court appearance, Wemali, who was also accused of infecting the runners with HIV, tried his best to avoid cameras. Wearing the same attire like he had on May 15, Wemali faced down as he walked to and from the dock. Moments before entering the court holding cell after being remanded again, Wemali, hitting on his head and pointing to the sky with both hands, told journalists: “we meet in the high court.”

Wemali’s lawyer, Martin Anukur, 11 days ago said he would apply for bail on medical grounds but police authorities in Kapchorwa have suggested the coach may not gain freedom in the near future. “I actually think Wemali might never see his home again,” James Ruhweza, the Sipi Region Police Commander, said outside his office yesterday. “He defiled three other girls and their files are almost ready,” he said. “He fathered kids with all the three girls and we have done all possible medical tests including DNA on them. Soon, fresh charges will be read to him.”
One of the girls, with a four-year-old child, attended the court session. She told police she was 17 when Wemali defiled her.
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