Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 28 October 2006

Source: GNA

Girl tells court was kept for 4 days in a room

Tarkwa (W/R) Oct. 28-GNA-A 12-year-old girl who was allegedly defiled by an 18-year-old unemployed has testified at Tarkwa Circuit Court that he was kept in the boy's room for four days. She said every morning the boy would lock up the door and go out with explanation that he was going to work for money and give her some. According to her, the boy had sexual intercourse with her during the four days she was kept there.

The accused, Kofi Bimpong, earlier pleaded not guilty to abduction and defilement charges and was remanded by the court, presided over by Mr. John Aject Nassam on October 11, 2006.

However, the accused was on Thursday granted bail in the sum of 100 million cedis with one surety.

Prosecuting, Inspector Oscar Amponsah of Tarkwa Police said the complainant John Boah is a professional driver and brother to the victim.

He said the victim resides with her mother, at a place near Prestea, while the unemployed accused, Bimpong, aged 18 resides at Himan.

Inspector Amponsah said on September 22 2006, the victim was sent to Tarkwa and was to return on September 22 2006. He said, on her return, the victim decided to pass through Himan where the accused lured her into his room and had sexual intercourse with her after which he locked her in his room and was having sexual intercourse with her until September 28 2006. The mother who was alarmed went to Himan upon a tip-off and with the help of some people went to Bimpong's room where the victim together with the accused were found.

When the victim's mother tried to get hold of the accused, he pushed her down and escaped. The victim then told her mother about her ordeal. On October 3 2006, complainant Boah arrested accused and brought him to Police Station at Prestea and lodged a complaint.