A Circuit Court in Accra has sentenced a 35-year-old block manufacturer to nine years imprisonment for defiling a 13 year-old girl at La, a suburb of Accra.

Robert Neequaye Kotey, was handed down his sentence after the court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava had found him guilty on the charge of defilement.

Mr Amon Kotei, who represented the convict, prayed for mitigation saying his client was a first offender and he had not had any brush with the law.

According to Counsel, Kotey’s wife had just delivered and it should take into consideration the number of years the convict had been on remand. The court in convicting Kotey said she took into consideration defence counsel’s submission and convicted him accordingly.

Prosecuting Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant in the case was the victim’s uncle. The victim lives in their family house at La.

According to prosecution Kotey also resides in the same vicinity.

On June 3, this year, at about 2000 hours, the victim’s grandmother sent the victim to go and buy banku for her.

Prosecution said on her way, Kotey lured her into his room and tore the victim black skirt and pants and had sex with her.

Prosecution said the complainant and other family members became alarmed over victim’s delay in returning home and searched for her in the vicinity but to no avail.

On July 3, this year, at about 0600 hours, Kotey asked the victim to go home. On her way, a tenant in the family house saw the victim on the way and took her home.

Prosecution said the victim narrated her ordeal to the complainant who in turn reported the case to the Police at La where a medical form was issued to him to send the victim to the hospital.

Later prosecution said Kotey was arrested and the matter was transferred to the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit.