Tema, March 15, GNA- A Tema Circuit Court 'A', on Monday remanded an 18-year-old driver's mate, Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah, in prison custody, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl.

He pleaded not guilty and explained that the victim was his girl friend and told him she was 16 years old.

The presiding Judge Mr Charles Asiedu adjourned the case to April 13, this year.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Adolphus Otchere said the victim and the accused person live at Kpone, and on March 5, this year, at about 1750 hours the victim was sent by her mother to buy tomatoes from a nearby house.

He said the victim on his way met Tetteh who lured her to his room and after having sex with her kept her in his room until about 1000 hours the following day before he released her.

The victim's mother confronted her about where she bad been and she told the mother of what the accused did to her.

The Prosecutor said the accused, in his caution statement stated that the victim has been his girl friend for the past three months and had had sex with her on three occasions.