Akim Swedru (E/R), April 21, GNA - A 22-year-old mason at Akyem Afosu in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region, who allegedly defiled a 14-year-old JSS pupil, has been remanded in police custody by the Akim Swedru Circuit Court.

The accused, Kwaku Ofori, pleaded not guilty to the charge and will re-appear on May 28.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector John Padmore Arthur, told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that, the accused lived in the same house with a kenkey seller at Akim Afosu. He said on April 5, this year, while the victim was in school, the kenkey seller sent her to collect pepper from her house for her. Chief Inspector Arthur said the victim met the accused in the house and asked her of her mission to which she told him. The accused, he said, then showed the victim a room where the pepper was kept and as soon as she entered, Ofori quickly followed in and locked the door, grabbed her and forcibly had sex with her. The Prosecutor said after satisfying himself, the accused warned the victim not to tell any anyone.

On April 7, the accused went to the victim's school to inform her that her mother wanted to see her but when she went home the mother denied ever sending anyone to call her.

The Prosecution said when the victim was going back to her school the accused accosted her on the way and dragged her to a place in an attempt to have sex with her.

He said the victim this time, reported the two incidents to her parents, who reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.