Cape coast, Jan. 19, GNA - Kwesi Annan, a 65-year-old painter, was on Monday sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a circuit court in Cape Coast for defiling an eight-year old girl who asked him for a Christmas gift. Annan, who pleaded not guilty, in his defence, denied the charge and claimed he had been framed up by the victim's sisters. Mr Beresford Acquah, the presiding judge said he was sentencing Annan to seven years in prison having considered his age. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Augustine Amonoo told the court earlier that the victim, who lives on the same compound with Annan at Saltpond, asked him for a Christmas present on February 2, 2005. He said Annan, took advantage of the request, lured her into his room, defiled her, gave her some biscuit and some money and warned her not to tell anyone.

Chief Inspector Amonoo said the victim's two elder sisters, who saw her emerging from Annan's room, questioned her and she told them what Annan had done to her and they examined her and saw "dirty" blood oozing from her genitals. He said the victim's sisters, therefore, made a report to the police and Annan was arrested. Chief Inspector Amonoo said a medical report issued after the victim had been sent to the hospital indicated that she had been sexually abused.