Rapist found to be HIV positive

Tomoa Dawurampong (Central Region) -Kwame Karikari, a farmer at Alata a village near Apam, who raped a 22 year-old expectant mother and was later found to be HIV positive, was on Tuesday arraigned at the Gomoa Dawuranpong Community Tribunal. His plea was not taken and has been remanded in prison custody to reappear at a later date.

The tribunal presided over by Mr. Justice D. K. Richardson heard that on June 17, the victim was going to a shop near her home around 22:00 hours to buy dry cell batteries when she met the accused, who is a cousin to her husband.

The accused requested to know where she was going and when she told him, Karikari offered to give her some and asked her to accompany him to his room.

The prosecution contended that Since Karkari was related to her husband, the victim did not suspect anything. However, when they to his room, the accused suddenly locked the door and pushed her onto his bed.

The victim was said to have struggled and shouted for help but the accused over powered her and tore up her underwear and sexually assaulted her.

The victim made an immediate report to the police and Karikari was arrested, when he was sent to the hospital for an HIV test, he tested positive.