Sekondi Jan.12 - GNA-A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Thursday granted Kuntu Blankson, a seaman resident at New Takoradi, five million cedis bail for defrauding by false pretences and assault. The accused who pleaded not guilty to the charges is to re-appear on February 9 this year.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Adu Kyeremeh said sometime in April last year, the complainant, Veronica Eshun, a trader resident at Maxwell Road, Sekondi, approached the accused for a room to rent. He said the accused promised to rent a room, which is under construction at New Takoradi to the complainant when it is completed and collected

2.4 million cedis as rent advance for five years from her. Sergeant Kyeremeh said the accused assured the complainant that the room would be ready in a month's time but when she went to the house after a month, she found the room had been completed and rented to somebody.

He said the complainant confronted the accused about the matter but he could not give tangible reasons for his action. Sergeant Kyeremeh said the complainant demanded refund of the rent advance from the accused, who promised to pay it back in a short time. He said the complainant went to the house of the accused on several occasions for the money but he did not give it to her. Sergeant Kyeremeh said at about 1100 hours on December 25 last year, the accused met the complainant at New Takoradi township and asked her to accompany him to his house for the money. He said at the house, the accused pounced on the complainant and assaulted her.

Sergeant Kyeremeh said the complainant made a report to the Police who arrested and charged the accused with the offence after investigations. He said since his arrest, the accused has refunded one million cedis to the complainant.