Kwame Lartey, a 75 year-old security man, was on Friday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in hard labour by a Koforidua Circuit Court for defiling a 13- year-old class six pupil.

The court presided over by Ms Wilhelmina Hammond convicted Lartey on his own plea.

Police Chief Inspector Patrick Adzadza, prosecuting, told the court that at about 1400 hours on April 20 the girl was sent by her aunt to buy corn dough to prepare “banku” for supper.

Chief Inspector Adzadza said the girl was given GH¢ 1.60 but unfortunately she misplaced the money on her way.

He said the victim, who was afraid that she would be beaten, stood by the road side crying and Lartey saw her and questioned her.

Lartey managed to lure the girl to his house and defiled her.

The prosecutor said after satisfying himself, Lartey left the victim to her fate, since she was a stranger in Koforidua and could not find her way home.

However her uncle managed to trace her and sent her home.

Chief Inspector Adzadza said on reaching home, the victim narrated her ordeal to her parents and a report was made to the Domestic Violence and Victims Unit.

He said a medical form was issued for the victim to be sent to the hospital for examination and treatment and Lartey was later arrested.

The prosecutor said Lartey admitted the offence in his caution statement and was therefore put before the court.

Ms Hammond, in passing sentence, said looking at Lartey’s age, he would have been a grandfather to the victim who needed guidance from him.

The judge said she was therefore giving Lartey a heavy sentence to serve as a deterrent to others.**