A farmer, who defiled a 12-year-old girl, at Tabakrom in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in hard labour by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
Richard Kofi Asante, charged with defilement, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
However, at the end of the trial, the court presided over by Ms Hathie Ama Manu, found Asante guilty and convicted him.
Prosecuting, Superintendent (Supt.) of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, said the complainant was a farmer residing at Tabakrom together with his wife and the victim, whilst Asante, also live in the same vicinity.
The prosecution said the convict went to the complainant’s house to buy cassava, but the complainant’s wife informed him there was no cassava.
Supt. Essel-Dadzie said the complainant’s wife who was with the victim asked Asante to wait in her house so that she could go to the farm and harvest some the cassava for him.
The court heard that the complainant’s wife returned from farm with cassava, which she sold to the convict on credit.
Supt. Essel-Dadzie said the victim told the mother that Asante forcibly had sexual intercourse with her while she (mother) was away.
The prosecution said the victim’s mother informed the complainant, who reported the incident to the police at Prestea, and a medical report form was issued to the complainant to seek
medical care for the victim.
Supt. Essel-Dadzie said Asante was arrested and he admitted the offence in his cautioned statement. — GNA
