Benjamin Gyamfi, 55, a self-styled pastor, was on Thursday sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 14- year-old girl.

Gyamfi pleaded guilty. The Akim Swedru Circuit Court presided over by Mr. Atta Yaw Sampong also ordered him to pay a compensation of GH¢ 500.00 to the victim.

Prosecuting, Detective Police Chief Inspector Kingsley Antwi, told the court that the victim was the house help of a teacher at Akyem Oda.

He said in the evening of August 24, Gyamfi visited the teacher to pray for his wife and others.

The prosecutor said after the prayers, Gyamfi said the victim had a spirit of disrespect and promised to cast away the demonic spirit from her through prayers.

Gyamfi therefore asked the teacher’s wife to release the victim to him for the prayers in his house.

On August 25, about 1930 hours, Gyamfi went for the victim from the mother and sent her to his house to pray for her.

The prosecutor said the prayer commenced at about 2030 hours and during the course of the prayers, Gyamfi gave the victim some herbs to be used on her body.

He also gave the girl “super Apeti syrup and six tablets of Diazepam” and she fell asleep after taking the drugs. She woke up at dawn and saw Gyamfi having sex with her.

The victim said Gyamfi had three rounds of sex with her and after each round he cleaned the semen with a white cloth.

The prosecutor said after the victim’s ordeal, she was given a Holy Bible and some money by Gyamfi before sending her home.

Chief Inspector Antwi said later in the afternoon, the victim was bleeding from her vagina and when questioned, she revealed her ordeal to the mother.

A report was made to the police and Gyamfi was arrested.