Tarkwa (W/R), July 7, GNA - A Takwa circuit court has sentenced Kwasi Kontoh, a farm labourer to 23 years imprisonment in hard labour for attempted rape on a woman at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region. Konto, 36, was sentenced on his own plea. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr John Ajet Nasam that, both the victim, Augustina Amoah, a 28-year-old petty trader and the accused resided at Wassa Akropong.

He said on July 1, 2006 at about 0900 hours, the victim left home for her farm to fetch firewood.

On her way, she met the accused, who she did not know. Inspector Amponsah said the accused told the victim that he would like to accompany her to her farm but she refused him. Not knowing the accused trailed her and suddenly snatched her cutlass and threatened to kill her, if she did not allow him to have sexual intercourse with her.

At this point, the victim pleaded with the accused to accompany her to the house to have sex with her because it was a taboo to have sex with a woman in the bush but he did not agree with her. A struggle ensued and the accused booted the woman down and fondled her breast to his satisfaction and also succeeded in removing her pair of knickers.

In an attempt to have sexual intercourse with the woman, she managed to push the accused aside and ran towards the main road, while shouting for help until she came across some people. The people organized some men and traced the accused in the bush and arrested him.

During interrogation the accused admitted the offence. Medical report form was issued to the victim to attend hospital, where she was treated and discharged. The victim and the accused led Police to the scene and the disturbed weeds indicated a sign of struggle. 7 July 06