45-year-old farmer defiles 13-year-old girl

Bawku (UER), Dec.19, GNA - Abass Asaaki 45, a farmer who allegedly defiled a 13-year old class six pupil at Binaba, near Zebilla, in the Bawku West district, was on Thursday remanded in prison custody by the Bawku circuit court.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on January 13, 2006. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Dentis Atigsika told the court presided over by Mr. Alex Ofori Owusu, that the victim was a house help to Madam Yaa Achiaa a drinking bar operator and the accused was her assistant.

He said on October 12, this year, Madam Achiaa travelled to Kumasi and left the victim in Asaaki's care.

Police Inspector Atigsika said three days later, the victim went to bed after the day's sales and in the night the accused sneaked into her room and defiled her.

He said neighbours heard the victim screaming at dawn and rushed to the house but Asaaki prevented them from entering the victim's room, but they forced their way and saw the victim lying on a bloodstained mattress and could not walk. The prosecutor said the victim was rushed to Zebilla hospital, where she was admitted for three days, the accused was arrested and sent to the police station but denied having defiled the victim.