Farmer jailed 15 years for defilement

Bawku (UER), Jan. 23, GNA - A Bawku Circuit court on Monday sentenced a farmer Abass Asaaki 45, to 15 years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 13-year old class six pupil at Binaba, near Zebilla, in the Bawku West district.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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 an assistant to Madam Achiaa.

He said on October 12, last 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 work 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 when they forced their way into the room 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. He said after investigations the accused was charged with the offence.