Cobbler sentenced to seven years for defilement

Nkawie (Ash), April 16, GNA- The Nkawie circuit court has sentenced Richmond Kwabena Kessie, 37 year old cobbler to seven years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 14 year old girl. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Robert Yitamkey told the court presided over by Mr. Noble Nkrumah that in July last year, the convict proposed love to the victim who is a house help to one Madam Abena Amponsah residing at Asenemaso, but the request was turned down. The prosecution said the convict again proposed to the victim and this time told the victim, who is a class four pupil of the Abuakwa District Assembly (D/A) Primary school in the Atwima Nwabiagya District that he would sponsor her education, but the victim snubbed him. According to the prosecution, on another occasion in the same month, at about 2100 hours, the convict went to the kiosk in which the victim sells iced-water and forcibly had sex with her during which he covered her mouth with his hands to prevent her from shouting for help. The convict again lured the victim in the night to the Abuakwa D/A Primary school where he forcibly had sex with her but this time the victim raised an alarm and was rescued by two unidentified boys who went in to see Kessie with the girl.

Before allowing the victim to leave, he warned her not tell anybody or else would be beaten mercilessly. According to the prosecution, as a result of the sex the victim got pregnant for six months before revealing his name and a report made to the police before he was arrested and upon investigation charged with the offence.