by Rachel Ogbu

Two men have received the life sentence in Delta State for raping a 17-year-old daughter.

The victim who is the daughter of a pastor was attacked on November 5, 2007 when the men broke into their home during a robbery.

They reportedly took turns in raping her as the pastor watched in agony and then they left her seriously injured in her private part.

The high Court in Ughelli, Delta State heard how 30-year-old Ernest Steve and 29-year-old Jerry Godwin used a gun and a knife to subdue the family, causing them immense psychological trauma.

[READ: Poetic justice? Daughter, 18, cuts off her father’s head for allegedly raping her ]

According to reports, the trial judge, Justice O. Tobi said that the prosecution had proved the essential ingredients of the three-count charge preferred against the accused persons. The court further declined a plea for mercy by the defense counsel saying the mandatory punishment prescribed by law for the offence committed was life imprisonment.

Both men are now in prison to begin serving their sentence.