Trader in court for pouring hot water on teacher

Accra, March 16, GNA - A 29 year-old trader, who poured hot water on a teacher after a quarrel, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday charged with causing unlawful harm.

Mr Erasmus Aryeequaye, 30, the teacher, sustained severe burns on his chest and arms.

Beatrice Acheampong, the Trader, pleaded not guilty and the Court chaired by Mr Anthony Oppong admitted her to 20 million cedis bail with two sureties.

She will reappear on March 30.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Y. Amegah said Mr Aryeequaye, the complainant, is a cousin to Beatrice.

On March 8, this year, Beatrice's mother protested that a foundation trench, which Mr Aryeequaye and his brothers dug to enable them to put up a bathhouse, was too close to their building. Beatrice and the mother on one hand and Mr Aryeequaye and brothers on the other hand started trading insults, but some elders of their family intervened and advised them to stop.

Chief Inspector Amegah said later, Mr Aryeequaye visited the Grandmother of Beatrice to render an apology to her, but Beatrice, who stayed with the Grandmother, tried to prevent him from going to see her. A struggle ensued between Mr Aryeequaye and Beatrice during which she fell down.

Mr Aryeequaye, therefore, entered the house but before he could speak to the Old Lady, the Beatrice emerged with a bowl of hot water and poured it on him.

The Prosecution said Mr Aryeequaye sustained severe burns on his chest and both arms, and he was rushed to the La Polyclinic where he was admitted over night.

Beatrice her caution statement admitted the offence and pleaded for leniency.