Juaso (Ash), Feb 20, GNA - A 21-year-old footballer who assaulted a referee during a second division match at Juaso has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in hard labour by the Juaso circuit court. Prince Boakye was also ordered to compensate the complainant with an amount of two million cedis.

Having been convicted on his own plea in his first court appearance, sentence was deferred to February 19 pending the submission of police medical form issued to the complainant.

Mr. Jacob Boon, the presiding judge passing sentence, said the act was barbaric and required a custodial sentence to deter others from following suit as the country prepared to host the African Cup of Nations next year.

The convict assaulted one Emmanuel Ampiah Mensah, who was refereeing a second division match between Asfa Sakyi F/C and Oweriman F/C at Juaso, on January 03.

The accused rushed unto the field of play and gave the referee a hard knock and took to his heels but was police arrested him.