A Mombasa court has sentenced a 48-year-old man to life in prison after finding him guilty of defiling a 9-year-old girl.

Appearing before Mombasa Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera, the accused was found guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" after the court heard the complainant's testimony.

A statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday on the ruling said that Margistrate Rabera found the comlainant's testimony to be sufficient enough for a conviction. 

The defense had applied for a non-custodial sentence, which was strongly opposed by the prosecution who argued that the minor is still suffering from trauma and is undergoing counseling.

"The court observed that the accused does not deserve a non-custodial sentence," wrote ODPP on Twitter.

"The prosecution, led by PC Barbara Sombo had opposed the application by the defense for a non-custodial sentence, citing the physical and psychological trauma suffered by the minor."

ODPP added that the court found it necessary to impose a severe penalty to tame sexual offenders from committing similar crimes in the future.