A 51-year old farmer, Kwasi Ntoah, on Tuesday caused a stir when he told the Sunyani Community Tribunal that he only usedhis penis to ?brush? the genital organ of a three-and-a half year old girl because he was impotent.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault and was remanded in prison custody till September 17. ASP Alex Yartey Tawiah told the Tribunal that the victim and the parents lived at Henekrom, whilst Ntoah lived at a nearby village, Apetesu, both near Duayaw Nkwanta in the Brong Ahafo Region.

He said on August 16, this year at about 4 pm, Madam Ama Asibi, mother of the victim, left for Duayaw Nkwanta to buy some items, leaving the girl alone in the house. The accused, who constantly visited the victim?s parents took advantageof their absence and asked her to follow him to a mango tree a few metresaway from the house.

On reaching there, the accused removed the underwear of the victim in an attempt to defile her but could not penetrate so he sent her back to the house. ASP Yartey Tawiah said the victim informed the mother about the accused person?s action on her return and when confronted Ntoah admitted the offence but explained that he acted under the influence of alcohol.

The prosecutor added that a medical report stated that no abrasions or lacerations were detected but the accused was arrested and the case was transferred to Sunyani WAJU for further investigations. The accused admitted the offence in his statement to the police and was charged with the offence.