Juaso (Ash), Feb 9, GNA- A 14-year-old girl who was alleged to have been defiled by Iddrisu Adama, a mechanic apprentice at Atonsu near Konongo in the Ashanti Region, is reported dead.

Janet Nyantakyiwaa, the deceased, who was at court about two weeks ago, died five days after Adama was remanded into police custody by the Juaso circuit court presided over by Mr Jacob B. Boon.

The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement and expected to open his defence, had secured the services of a counsel when he appeared at court on February 3.

Chief Inspector Stephen Opare informed the court of Nyantakyiwaa's death and prayed the court to remand Adama into prison custody pending an autopsy report on the deceased. Chief Opare said fresh charges could be levelled against Adama should the report incriminate him.

Counsel for Adama, however, pleaded with the court to grant Adama bail but the presiding judge rejected the plea and remanded the accused into prison custody for two weeks.