Tabloid News of Monday, 17 May 2004

Source: GNA

Farmer fined two million cedis for assaulting blind woman

Asamankese, May 17, GNA - A 37-year-old farmer, Gyan Frank, who assaulted a blind woman, her husband and another woman, has been fined two million cedis by the Asamankese circuit court. Frank who pleaded guilty would go to prison for two years in default in hard labour.

He was additionally ordered to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for two years or to go to prison for six months if he behaved otherwise. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector G. D. Bruce said, both Gyan and all his victims were farmers living at Otumi Asikam, near Kade. According to him, on April 16, this year, at about 8.00am, Frank picked up a quarrel with one Grace Oye and after exchange of words Gyan pounced on her and gave her a sound beating.

Madam Mary Oforiwaa, a blind woman, who heard about the fight, went to the scene and when she advised them to stop fighting, Frank turned and set upon Mad. Oforiwaa and severely assaulted her.

The prosecutor said he pushed down the helpless woman, broke her white cane into two and used part of it to hit her left eye, resulting in her bleeding from the eye.

He said the husband of Mad. Oforiwaa, Mr William Adu, who went to lift her up was also beaten severely until he was also rescued. A report was then made to the Police and Frank was arrested. The Judge, Mr. S. S. Appiah in sentencing Frank, described him as "a stupid, wicked and callous man."