Man jailed for pulling assemblyman's genitals

Cape Coast, June 28, GNA - A Cape Coast Circuit Court on Monday fined a 76 year old night watchman, Kobina Essoun an amount of GH¢480.00 or in default 12 months imprisonment for pulling the genitals of the assemblyma n Kobina Egyam, of Taido electoral area in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district.

In the dock with him were two brothers Abraham Fletcher, a 49 year o ld farmer and Augustine Fletcher, 46, a carpenter who were both sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for assault.

In addition, they are to pay a compensation of GH¢1,000.00 to the complainant. They pleaded not guilty. Mr Beresford Acquah, who presided, said but for the age of Essoun, h e would have been jailed.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Christiana Sampong, told the Ghana News Agency that sometime in August 2002 at about 1500 hours Brofoyedur, durin g the Mfantseman District Assembly election, a misunderstanding erupted between the complainant and Essoun which resulted in a fight.

She said the Fletchers, who are step-sons of Essoun, tried to separa te the fight after Essoun had forced his fingers into the nostrils of the complainant who also bit the right shoulder of Essoun and tore his shirt in the process. She said the two brothers then teamed up with their step father and beat up the complainant, pulling his genitals in the process. Inspector Sampong said the complainant developed a hernia complicati on and was sent to the Saltpond Government Hospital where he was operated up on.