Juaso (Ash), Feb. 8, GNA - A pastor who used a cane he was holding to whip a woman during an argument has been granted bail in the sum of 20 million cedis by the Juaso circuit court.

Pastor Asante Boateng of Bebome, near Agogo pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault and will reappear on February 14, 2005. Chief Inspector A.S. Haruna, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Jacob Boon, that on October 17, 2004, the complainant sent her daughter to a nearby village, about three kilometres away to collect a parcel for her.

He said later a witness advised the woman to get someone to accompany the daughter who was using a bush path.

The court heard that the pastor, who was present at the time, started accusing the complainant of always preventing her children from running errands for others.

Chief Inspector Haruna said in the ensuing argument between them, the complainant allegedly insulted the pastor, who in turn, whipped the complainant with a cane he was holding.