17-year-old jailed 20 years

Tarkwa (W/R), Oct. 12, GNA - A 17-year-old student of Asawinso Secondary School in the Western Region, Joshua Gyamgba, was yesterday jailed 20 years for defiling a 13-year-old girl by a Tarkwa circuit court presided over by Mr John Ajet Nassam.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alex Asamoah of Tarkwa Police said the complainant was the father of the victim, who stayed with her at Sefwi Asawinso in the Western Region, while the accused also stayed in the same vicinity.

He said on August 15, 2005 at about 21:00 hours, the victim was sent with food from the house to his father in a store. On her return, the accused met the victim and her sister.

The accused returned with them and on reaching a section of the road, where there was a plantain plantation, the accused held the attire of the victim and pulled her through the bushes into his room, while the other girl, who was a stranger in the town ran away. The victim cried for help but to no avail and the accused forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

On reaching home, chief Inspector Asamoah said her parents questioned the victim as to where she had been for so long. The victim narrated the ordeal she went through. Not quiet long, the accused also arrived and the complainant confronted him but the accused took to his heels. Luck, however eluded him and was arrested and sent to Police Station.