The Gender Based Violence Court at the Police Headquarters in Accra, has sentenced a chainsaw operator to 15 years in prison for having sex with his 12-year-old step-daughter.
Ishmael Addo, 43, charged with two counts of defilement, pleaded guilty and admitted to having sex with the victim on two occasions.
The court, presided over by Dora Araba Eshun, convicted Addo on his own plea, and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
The court further ordered Addo to compensate the victim with GH¢3,600 and pay her medical bills.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, told the court that the complainant, is a trader and mother of the 12-year-old victim, a class three pupil.
The court heard that Addo was the complainant’s boyfriend and the victim’s step-father.
According to Chief Insp Aniagyei, Addo, the victim and her mother, lived together in Asofa.
The prosecution said that the complainant traveled to Afram Plains last month and left the victim in Addo’s care.
Chief Insp Aniagyei said the complainant received a call from a friend and a co-tenant that the victim was not well.
The court heard that when the complainant returned from her trip, the co-tenant informed her that the victim had confided in her that Addo had sexual intercourse with her.
Chief Insp Aniagyei said when the complainant questioned the victim, she corroborated the sexual conduct between her and Addo.
The prosecution said victim told the complainant that Addo threatened to punish her if she told anybody about the sexual intercourse.
Chief Insp Aniagyei said the girl disclosed that Addo had previously had sex with her twice while her mother was fast asleep at night.
The prosecution said complainant reported the matter to the Asofa police, leading to Addo’s arrest.
Chief Insp Aniagyei told the court the complainant was issued a form to seek medical attention for the victim.
He said the matter was referred to the Tesano Divisional of Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit. (DOVVSU).
—GNA
