Painter in court for incest

Two years after having sex with his 12-year-old daughter, a 54-year-old father has been put before a Circuit Court in Accra charged for incest and defilement.

John Okoe Lartey, the accused, who is a painter, has however pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava remanded Lartey into police custody to reappear on September 18.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adiza Suleman said on July 23, this year, the Nungua Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit (DOVVSU) Commander received information that Lartey had had sexual intercourse with his daughter aged 14.

Prosecution said the Police therefore proceeded to Osu to look for the victim now 14 years in her School.

ASP Suleman said when the victim was interviewed, she confirmed that her father defiled her in 2012 and warned her not to tell anyone.

The victim also indicated that an uncle, who resides at Teshie, also had sex with her twice this year.

Prosecution said a family member saw some changes in the way the victim walked and asked her what was wrong her, leading to the revelations

ASP Suleman said when the family member confronted Lartey, he told her not to report the matter to the Police but a witness in the matter who heard it quickly lodged a complaint with the Police.

The Police issued a medical form to the victim’s mother to send her to hospital for examination.

The prosecution said the accused person admitted the offence in his cautioned statement.