Asamankese, Dec. 24, GNA - The Asamankese Circuit Court on Wednesday convicted Kudjo Ansah, a 35- year-old chainsaw operator, on his own plea of guilty to eight years imprisonment in hard labour, for defiling a 14- year-old girl.

Ansah before the sentence, blamed the devil for his action, and pleaded with the judge, Mr Emmanuel Siameh, to deal leniently with him, by allowing him to pay a fine since he had very young children. The judge however told him that in a case of defilement, there was no option of a fine but only custodial sentence. Mr Siameh said defilement was a serious offence, which could carry a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Police Chief Inspector Kate Ogyiri, prosecuting, told the court that the convict and the victim, a form three Junior High School (JHS) student, lived at adjacent houses at Topease and had cordial relations. She said about six months ago, the girl went to an orange farm to pluck oranges and was trailed to the farm by Ansah. The prosecutor said Ansah emerged from behind the girl and used a piece of cloth to blindfold her, pushed her on the ground and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

After satisfying himself, Ansah removed the piece of cloth and warned the victim not to reveal her ordeal to anyone or else she would die. The prosecutor said as a result of that threat, the victim did not report the incident to anyone. About two weeks after the incident, Ansah again invited the girl to his house under the pretext of sending her. When she entered the house, Ansah again lured her into his room and had sex with her. The girl kept the secret to herself until October 18 when she finally broke the news to her mother. A complaint was made to the Police and Ansah was arrested. A medical form was later issued to the victim to attend hospital for examination.