Aflao (V/R), Jan. 26, GNA - The Aflao Circuit Court has sentenced Koshie Awumey, 36, a farmer to 16 years in jail for defiling an 11-year old girl.

Awumey pleaded not guilty.

Mr Stephen Wuni, Detective Police Inspector at Aflao, told the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri that Awumey lived at Zuime-Toko while the victim, a basic school pupil, lives with her parents at Gbugbla-Toko near Aflao.

He said on December 26 last year the victim, accompanied by her four-year old sister, went to harvest coconut from her father’s plantation nearby.

Awumey, who was passing by, requested for one coconut and insisted that the victim came down from the coconut tree to give him the coconut even though some coconuts were under the tree.

He said as soon as the the victim got down Awumey pulled her into a nearby bush, tore her panties which was the only attire on her, and defiled her.

Mr Wuni said the wailing of the victim’s sister attracted a witness whose cottage was nearby but Awumey fled when the (witness) approached.

He said the witness informed the victim’s father and a search party by the community members found Awumey hiding in a thicket and he was arrested.