Ex-Navy Rating placed in custody for defilement

A Cape Coast circuit court on Monday remanded Patrick Essel, an ex- corporal of the Ghana Navy in prison custody for allegedly defiling an 8 year-old class two pupil of Breman Asikuma.

Essel, 39, who is also known as Yaw Appiah, pleaded guilty with explanation but his plea was changed to not guilty when he denied defiling the girl in his explanation. He is to be re-arraigned on Monday, November 19.

Chief Inspector Hope Azasoo told the court that the victim went to the house of the accused at Breman Asikuma on August 8 to play with her friends.

He alleged that the Essel, who is currently unemployed, called her into his room and defiled her and warned her not to disclose it to anyone.

Chief Inspector Azasoo further alleged that the girl's mother, however, detected blood in her urine and upon questioning by her grandfather, she narrated what Essel had done to her and a report was made to the Police. He was arrested and later charged with the offence.

In another development, Nana Essilfie, a 52 year old farmer from Assin Akyiase, was also remanded in custody by the court for allegedly defiling his 15 year-old step sister and would also be re-arraigned on Monday, November 19.

Chief Inspector Augustine Amonoo, who prosecuted, alleged that Essilfie carried out the act when the victim's mother, who is his stepmother, left her in his care and travelled to Twifo Praso sometime in May.

He said Essilfie allegedly joined the girl in her bed during the night and she cried out in pain when she woke up to discover him sexually abusing her, but the accused ignored her cries until she started bleeding.

The victim, later fled the house and reported the matter to one Madam Yaa Aso, who spent the rest of the night with her and a report was made to the Police the following day when the girl's mother returned from her trip.