Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 28 June 2014

Source: GNA

Carpenter held over gang rape

A 36-year-old carpenter has been put before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defiling a 14-year-old girl in a taxi at Adenta.

Justice Dogbe has denied the charge and the court presided over by Sedina Agbemava remanded him into Police custody to reappear on July 24.

Meanwhile, the Police said they were making frantic effort to arrest Dogbe’s accomplice who is at large.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adiza Sulemana told the court that the complainant is a seamstress residing at Adenta Sakora with the victim, who is a class four pupil.

Dogbe a.k.a Kwame also resides in the same vicinity, opposite the complainant’s house.

ASP Sulemana said on June 14 this year, the complainant sent the victim on an errand. On her way, prosecution said the victim realised that she was being followed by Dogbe and another now at large.

According to ASP Sulemana, Dogbe and his accomplice trailed her until she was returning home.

On her way, prosecution said the victim indicated that she passed through a lane and realised that a taxi had parked at the junction she was to turn. The accused person and his accomplice continued to trail her as they chat along.

Prosecution said Dogbe held the victim’s hands at her back and managed to open the back door of the taxi, he (Dogbe) and his accomplice pushed her into the vehicle.

ASP Sulemana said Dogbe drove the vehicle to an isolated place and they defiled her in turns with her mouth covered.

As the victim struggled to free herself, she stained Dogbe’s “T-Shirt” with blood. Victim was, however, pushed out of the vehicle, and the two drove off.

Prosecution said the victim reported to her mother and complained of abdominal pains amidst bleeding.

When the Police was informed about the matter, the victim was issued with a medical form to enable her undergo treatment at the hospital.

Later the victim identified Dogbe to the Police and he was arrested.