Irresponsible father loses a finger

40-YEAR-OLD husband paid dearly with one of his fingers for deserting his matrimonial home after 15 years of marriage and neglecting his three children for months.

His wife, Margaret Afful, 30, bit off the finger of her estranged husband, Andrews Duah, and walked free out of a Tarkwa circuit court.

Discharging the woman, the presiding judge, Mr Isaac Lartey-Young, said Margaret was not guilty because she acted in desperation and with reasonable force to defend herself.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Joseph Kwame Anane of the Tarkwa Police, Andrews was legitimately married to Margaret for 15 years and has three children with her.

He said for some time now Andrews has ignored and failed to maintain his children.

He said Margaret, who could not care for the children alone, sent two of them to her mother for maintenance.

Inspector Anane said on January 28, when Margaret met Andrews in the street, a misunderstanding ensued between them over the maintenance of their children.

He said this resulted in a fight between them and in the process Margaret fell down while her husband continued to beat her.

According to the prosecutor, in their struggle, Andrews’ finger found its way into Margaret’s mouth and she bit it.

He said Andrews was subsequently rushed to hospital for treatment.