Photographer, 30 defiles 13-year-old girl

Tema, May 17, GNA - A 30-year-old photographer who had sex with a 13-year-old girl under a tree behind the Tema Community Centre has been granted bail in the sum of 40 million cedis with surety by the Tema circuit court "A".

Lukeman Adams pleaded not guilty and will reappear on May 26 2004. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Sarah Aggrey Acquah told the court, presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu, that the accused and the girl were neighbours in the same house at Site one, Community one.

In February 2003, between 1800 hours and 1900 hours, a tailor who is in the same neighbourhood, asked the girl to keep watch over his tailoring shop while he went to say his prayers at the mosque. Chief Inspector Acquah said as soon as the tailor left, the accused appeared and took the girl to his brother's room and fondled her genitals.

The court heard that Adams further took the girl to an area behind the Tema Community Centre and had sex with her under a tree. Later the girl's mother detected bloodstains in her panties and when she questioned her she refused to answer.

Chief Inspector Acquah said the girl's mother complained to another woman who later talked to the girl and she mentioned the accused, leading to Adam's arrest.

A medical report on the girl revealed that her hymen was broken, according to Chief Inspector Acquah.