Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Source: GNA

Farmer jailed for impregnating niece

A farmer, Nana Yaw Breko, 33, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by a Tarkwa Circuit Court for impregnating his brother’s 11-year-old daughter, Hannah Akonoh, at Ashire Ateiku in the Western Region.

He pleaded guilty.

Police Prosecuting Chief Inspector Florence Tawiah told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that in September last year, the victim and the convict attended a church service and on their way back home, he pushed her into a nearby bush and defiled her after which he told her not to inform anyone about the incident else he would kill her.

She said the victim did not disclose her ordeal to anyone and in September, he lured Hannah into his room and defiled her again.

The Prosecutor said in December that same year, the victim fell sick and was sent to the Twifo Praso Hospital and when she was examined, it was detected that she was five months pregnant.

Inspector Tawaih said when the victim was questioned, she mentioned the convict as the one who defiled her.

She said when Breko was confronted, he admitted responsibility for the pregnancy and even promised to marry the victim.

During the ruling, the judge said Breko’s cocoa farm should be harvested every season and one third of the product sold should be given to the victim until the convict completes his sentence.