Tepa (Ash), Dec. 21, GNA - The Tepa Circuit Court on Friday sentenced two youths to a total of 16 years' imprisonment with hard labour for abetment of crime and defilement.

Kwaku Asare, aged 17 and Attah Mensah, 19, who pleaded not guilty, received eight years sentences each.

Police Inspector Prosper Yao Aheto told the court presided over by Mr Richard Kiya-Hinidza that on Sunday, November 30, the victim, a 14 years old school dropout at Abonsuaso was returning from church when she met the two accused persons.

He said Asare held the victim's hand and dragged her into Atta Mensah's room and locked the door for Mensah to defile her.

After the act, Inspector Aheto said, the victim informed her mother, who on seeing blood oozing from the daughter's genitals, reported the matter to the Police, who issued her a medical form. He said after Police investigations and the receipt of the medical report, the accused persons were arrested and charged with the offence. At the same court, Abass Ibrahim, alias "Basit", unemployed, was granted a 10 million cedis bail also for allegedly defiling a 14 years old first year student of Tepa Secondary School.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on December 30. Police Inspector Aheto told the court that at about 1900 hours on December 6, the accused lured the girl into his room. He said he then gave her a bottle of an alcoholic drink and after drinking it she fell asleep and the accused took advantage and defiled her.

Inspector Aheto said the victim woke up at about 2300 hours and found herself lying naked on the bed alone and detected blood in her genitals and in her pant and therefore on reaching school, she reported the matter to her mates, who also reported it to the Police. He said a medical report confirmed the sexual act and after investigations, the Police arrested the accused.