THE Tema Circuit Tribunal has sentenced Paul Afagbedzi, a 44 year old casual worker, to 15 years imprisonment for defiling his 15-year old daughter.

The accused, who is a resident of Ashaiman, was charged and tried for incest. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, moments before judgement was pronounced, he pleaded with the tribunal to overlook his offence and deal leniently with him because his incarceration will be detrimental to the well-being of his four children.

His unemployed and estranged wife, however, told the panel that since the incident the children aged 15,13, nine and six years, have been with her and that she hopes to take responsibility for their care.

In passing judgement, the tribunal chairman, Mr Ringo Cass Azumah, said the accused is dangerous to the society and must, therefore, be kept away. The facts available to the tribunal indicated that Afagbedzi?s wife left their matrimonial home as a result of the constant beating she received from him at the least provocation.

The wife later got to know of the sexual relationship between her husband and his own biological children. When this got to the family, attempts were made to hush up the issue by making him hand over the children to his wife. The intervention of the relations did not go down well with the accused who refused to remit the children.

Thereafter, Afagbedzi continued with his relationship with his daughter until April 17, when his daughter ran back to her mother and informed her of her ordeal.

According to the prosecution, in the night Afagbedzi went into the room where his daughters slept and attacked her eldest daughter and prevented her from calling for help.

A report was made to the Police but Afagbedzi managed to escape until he was arrested later on a bench warrant issued by the