I only fondled her breast- Accused tells Court

A 40-year-old unemployed on Tuesday told an Accra circuit court that he did not have sex with a mentally challenged girl, but fondled her breast.

Emmanuel Ashirifi Quarshie charged with carnal knowledge of a female mentally challenged, pleaded not guilty and the court admitted him to bail in the sum of Ghc20,000 with two sureties.

Quarshie is to reappear before the court presided over by Ms Ellen V. Amoah on January 22.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that the complainant, Clara Serwah Ningson, is a nurse who resides at Laterbiokoshie. She is also the mother of the victim.

Prosecution said the victim, 26, is a hairdresser apprentice, who is mentally challenged. The accused person also goes about in the neighbourhood helping people with menial jobs.

On December 4, this year at about 8:00pm, prosecution said the complainant returned from church and met the victim descending from the top floor of their story building.

The complainant became suspicious and questioned the victim, who disclosed that the accused person had had sex with her on the staircase.

The complainant reported the matter to the Police where the victim was issued with a medical form for examination and treatment.

Prosecution said during investigations, it was disclosed that some unscrupulous persons in the neighbourhood had taken advantage of her plight.

The accused person was, however, arrested and efforts are being made to arrest the other persons who have been taking advantage of her.