Tema, Feb. 09, GNA - The Tema Circuit Court 'A', has remanded a 26 year- old driver into custody for defiling a 13 year- old girl. Bismark Addo Joe, who pleaded not guilty, would reappear on February 21, 2005.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Sarah Aggrey Acquah, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that at 1400 hours on June 10, 2004, the accused bought 2,000 cedis worth of biscuits from the victim at the Tema lorry park, and convinced the girl to follow him to his house for the money, where he defiled her and warned her not to tell anybody. She said on June 13, Joe lured the victim to his house and forcibly had sex with her the second time.

The girl narrated her ordeal to her mother who noticed that the she was having difficulty in sitting down, leading to the arrest of the accused.

Chief Inspector Acquah said Joe who was granted Police enquiring bail went into hiding and resurfaced in September. The accused admitted taking the victim to his house but denied having sex with her.