Labourer jailed 14 years for defilement

An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday sentenced a labourer, Kwame Gyimah to 14 years imprisonment for defiling a 12-year old girl and infecting her with disease. The court, however, did not mention the kind of disease with which the convict had infected the victim.

Charged with defilement, Gyimah 47, pleaded not guilty. The court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava however found him guilty after the trial and convicted him accordingly. The court said it took into consideration the fact that Gyimah had been in prison custody since February 1, last year.

According to the court, there were no mitigation factors in Gyimah’s favour because of the age gap between him and the victim. It noted further that Gyimah had also infected the victim with a disease and betrayed the trust of the victim.

Prosecuting, Detective Inspector K. Atimbire said the complainant was a pensioner and a grandfather of the victim. According to Detective Inspector Atimbire, the complainant and the victim reside at Anyaa N.I.C in Accra. Gyimah also lives in the same area.

The prosecutor said on December 15, 2012 at about 0730 hours, the victim was on her way to buy charcoal at a nearby house when Gyimah called her to his place of abode and had sex with her. After the act, prosecution said, the victim started crying and went to inform the complainant who in turn reported the matter to the Police.

The prosecutor said the victim was issued with a medical form to enable her to attend hospital for examination and treatment. During interrogation, Gyimah admitted the offence in his caution statement.