Mpraeso (E/R), Nov 12, GNA - The Mpraeso Circuit Court on Tuesday sentenced Christian Vigbedor, an 18-year-old fisherman, to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 15-year-old first year Junior High School student, at Nketepa in the Kwahu South District. Vigbedor pleaded guilty to the charge.

Detective Police Chief Inspector Eric Okyere, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Justice Alex Owusu-Ofori, that both the complainant and the convict were fishermen residing at Nketepa while the victim is a JHS one pupil of Universal Preparatory School and niece to the complainant. He said about two months ago, Vigbedor proposed love to the victim, which she agreed and had been visiting him in his house where they had been engaging in regular sex. Mr Okyere said when the complainant got wind about Vigbedor relationship with the victim he confronted the victim who admitted that the convict was her boy friend and had been sleeping with him in his house.

He said the complainant then confronted Vigbedor who also admitted having sex with the victim and advised him to put a stop to the relationship with the girl. Mr Okyere said a week later, the girl vanished from the house for several days and the complainant went to the house of Vigbedor with some Unit Committee Members to search for her. He said when confronted, Vigbedor told them that the victim came to spend the night with him but had left and he was subsequently arrested and handed over to the police. The victim was later arrested and also handed over to the police. During interrogation Vigbedor admitted the offence and the victim was later sent to hospital for medical examination where it was proved she was sexually abused. 12 Nov. 08