Ho, Oct.10, GNA - Moses Anku, 30, a Carpenter was on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by a Ho Circuit Court for allegedly defiling a 10 year old pupil.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on Thursday, October 19. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kwame Osei told the court presided over by Mr Justice Emmanuel Siameh that the victim, a pupil of Taviefe Avenya Primary School was staying with the grandmother and the accused in the same house at Taviefe Avenya. He said in the afternoon of September 19 this year, when the victim was returning from school the accused invited her to pick his sandals for him.

ASP Osei said when the victim stretched her hand to give the sandals to the accused, he (accused) grabbed the victim's hand, pulled her into his room and defiled her.

He said screams by the victim attracted passers-by who went to her rescue and informed the victim's grandmother. ASP Osei said the accused gave 2,000 cedis to the victim and bolted but was later arrested.

The prosecutor said the police issued a medical form to the parents of the victim and after investigations the accused was charged with the offence.