Timothy Dei, 28, an apprentice mason from Peki-Dzake, was last Monday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at a Ho Circuit Court for defiling a five-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty.

Chief Inspector Christopher Agbodza, prosecuting, told the court that on April 21, Dei attended an Easter get-together organised by the victim's father at Peki-Dzake. He said at about 1900 hours Dei was seen conversing with the victim and later disappeared with her.

Dei could not provide any tangible reason for their disappearance when the victim's mother queried him after returning to the get-together, Chief Inspector Agbodza said. He said the victim told the mother that the accused took her to a nearby bush and sexually assaulted her. A report was made to the police and Dei was arrested.

A medical report by Dr Andrew Ayim, in-charge of the Peki Government Hospital confirmed the claim and the victim, is still on admission. Dei said he was drunk at the time of the incident and told the court: "I used my fingers in knowing her. I inserted several times".