Kumasi, Aug. 15, GNA - A 24-year-old barber has been handed a 20-year jail term in hard labour by a Kumasi Circuit Court for defiling his 10-year-old niece.

Kwame Mensah pleaded guilty.

Police Chief Inspector A.K Fandoh told the court that the victim is the daughter of Mensah's brother living with her mother and uncle at Abenase in the Ejisu-Juaben District where Mensah also resides. He said the victim who usually visits her uncle at his shop for money and went to the shop on July 23 where Mensah defiled her.

He gave her 20 pesewas and threatened the girl not to reveal it to any one else he would kill her but the victim's mother had a hint about the incident and when she questioned him he admitted the offence. A report was made to the police and Mensah was arrested.