A 27-year-old pupil teacher, Roger Hagan, has been placed in custody for allegedly causing the death of his 55-year-old mother, Rebecca Hagan, of Site 19, Community One, in Tema.

Neighbours expressed shock at Roger's behaviour because he is seen as a quiet and disciplined person in the community.

According to Superintendent Robert Azu, the Tema Community One District Police Commander, Roger lived with his late mother, a housewife, at Site 19.

He said a week before the incident, Roger pleaded with his mother to allow him to construct a building on a plot in their house.

His mother turned down the request with the explanation that she wanted to sell the plot since Roger was not taking good care of her.

Superintendent Azu said this resulted in an exchange of words between mother and son.

As a result, Roger’s mother who was then eating and had pepper in her palm allegedly attempted to slap him, but he pushed her aside in an attempt to avoid the slap.

The police commander said in the process the woman fell on a kitchen stool, hitting her head on a piece of block and died instantly.

Her body has since been deposited at the police hospital for autopsy while the police continue with investigations.