Take baby to jail, wife tells rapist husband

Tema -- A 19 year old mother, on Tuesday caused a stir at Tema Circuit Tribunal by dumping her five month old baby on the lap of her husband, who had been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for raping a 15-year old girl.

Moments after the 25-year old convict, Kwasi Alhassan, a driver's mate, was escorted to the criminals seat after the sentence was passed on him, his 19-year old wife dashed to the front row and dumped the baby boy on his laps.

Regina Adonu began wailing, took to her heels and run for about 200 meters before the police apprehended her and escorted her back to the tribunal. Still screaming, Regina told the tribunal that she is unemployed so there would be nobody to cater for the baby, adding, "that is why, in my confused state, I decided to dump the baby on his father to carry him to prison."

Her behaviour drew tears from the public, while the prosecutors and lawyers remained in their seats quietly looking on. However, the chairman did not budge and asked that the baby be given back to the mother. Later, Regina, carrying the baby in her arms sat close to her husband, who was sweating profusely until the police whisked him away to begin his sentence.

Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi had earlier stated that in May last year about 10:30am the victim was on her way home to the VALCO Flats, in Ashaiman. The accused then standing in the dark invited her and forcibly abused her sexually at a knifepoint on a bench and her screams attracted people around, who arrested him.

Mr Ringo Cass Azumah, Chairman of the Tribunal explained that the accused was given a long sentence because of the knife he pulled and this would serve as deterrent to others. Alhassan had pleaded not guilty.