Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 10 August 2004

Source: GNA

Court remands sisters for assault

Sunyani (B/A), Aug. 10, GNA - The Sunyani Circuit Court 'A' on Monday remanded two sisters on three counts of assault, causing harm and causing unlawful damage.

Cynthia Nkrumah and Victoria Afabi, drinking bar operators, pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on Friday, August 13.

Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Alex Yartey Tawiah told the court, presided by Mr Godfried Hudson Debrah that, on July 24, this year, Cynthia intentionally and unlawfully assaulted one Madam Yaa Henewaa, a chop-bar keeper in Sunyani.

DSP Tawiah said on the same day, Victoria also intentionally and unlawfully caused harm to the complainant and damaged a Nokia cell phone valued at 1.3 million cedis and a lady's blouse valued at 150,000 cedis, all belonging to Madam Henewaa.

DSP Tawiah said Cynthia, who was alleged to be the girl friend of one Mr Benjamin Nkrumah, husband of Madam Henewaa, hurled insults on the latter anytime they met.

He said at about 2030 hours on July 24, this year, Madam Henewaa was on her way home when she met Cynthia who started raining insults on her. DSP Tawiah said in an ensuing quarrel between them, Cynthia started beating Madam Henewaa, whereupon Victoria rushed onto the scene and assisted her sister to beat up the woman.

The prosecutor said, during the fight Cynthia used a sharp implement to inflict severe injuries on the body of the Madam Henewaa, while her Nokia cell phone and the blouse she was wearing were damaged. Madam Henewaa reported the case to the police and was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.

DSP Tawiah said Cynthia was later arrested and in her caution statement, admitted the offence but said it was rather the complainant who held her plaited hair tightly and in order to free herself took an object from the ground to inflict the injuries on her.