Driver's mate jailed for defilement.

Akim Swedru (E/R), Feb. 25, GNA- Issifu Abu, a driver's mate who abducted a 13-year old girl from Oworam to Asamankese and defiled her was on Friday sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Akim Swedru Circuit Court.

Abu, who admitted having sex with the victim only once was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Charles Quaye, told the court, presided over by Mr Kwame Apenkwah, that the victim, who lives at Oworam near Asamankese on January 23 visited a friend. He said when the victim was returning home with the friend, the convict driving an Urvan bus, crossed them and requested them to accompany him to Asamankese but she refused. The convict managed to drag her into the vehicle and sent her to Asamankese where they spent the night together. The prosecutor said the following morning, the convict gave the girl 10,000 cedis to be used for transport back to Oworam. While seeing her off, one Kpakpo spotted them and they took to their heels but were arrested after a long chase and handed over to the Asamankese police.

During investigations, the convict admitted having sex with the victim once and was accordingly charged and arraigned. In another development, Kofi Adu, who stole two Nokia mobile phones valued at 3.7 million cedis belonging to a student nurse at Akim Oda was remanded in prison custody.

Police Chief Inspector Ben Osei Kwadwo, told the court that on January 17 at about 1130 hours when the complainant was at her desk reading, Adu jumped over a fence wall, entered the room and stole the items. He was later arrested and after investigation, charged with stealing.