Two defence witnesses worsen plight of accused persons

Juaso (Ash), Dec. 17, GNA - Two witnesses called by an accused person to exonerate him from an indecent assault charge rather worsened his plight as a circuit court at Juaso sentenced him to six months imprisonment. While Charles Kwadwo Agyei, the accused, claimed that he unintentionally touched the breast of the complainant, a class five pupil, his two witnesses told the court that Agyei never touched the complainant's breast.

Mr Jacob B. Boon, the presiding judge, who took a very serious view of the lie told by the two witnesses, said he would have acquitted the accused if the witnesses had corroborated his claim and therefore sentenced him to six months imprisonment in hard labour. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A.S. Harruna told the court that Agyei was a corn miller whilst the complainant an 11-year-old class five pupil were all resident at Agogo. He said on November 12, this year, the complainant went to the accused person's mill to grind cassava. ASP Harruna said Agyei after grinding the cassava for the complainant he held her breast and fondled it while assisting her to carry the dough.

The prosecution said Agyei ignored the protests of the complainant who on reaching home reported to her parents. The parents in turn reported the case to the Agogo police.