Akyem Swedru (E/R), July 10, GNA - A circuit court at Akyem Swedru on Monday sentenced Kwabena Acheampong, a 25-year-old diamond winner to 20 years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a nine year-old girl at Akyem Takrowase in the Kwaebibirem District. Police Chief Inspector Ben Osei Kwadwo told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that the complainant is the father of the victim.

He said on May 22 at about 18:00 hours, Acheampong gave the victim one thousand cedis to buy him roasted corn. The victim went to the roadside and when she could not get the corn she came back to give the money to Acheampong. The prosecutor said immediately the victim entered Acheampong's room he locked the door, dragged her on to his bed, gagged the girl and forcibly defiled her. The screaming of the victim for help attracted a witness in the case who forced the door open and saw Acheampong forcibly defiling the girl.

The witness raised the alarm and took the girl to her parents who later took her to the Police Station to lodge a complaint. The victim was issued with a medical form to attend hospital for examination. The prosecutor said Acheampong bolted from the town after committing the act only to re-surface on May 30 when he was arrested.