The Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced a tiler to 22 years in prison with hard labour for defiling and impregnating a 12-year-old girl.

Stephen Otu, 32, also known as Atta, pled guilty to the charges against him and begged the court for mercy.

However, the court, presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, found Otu guilty and jailed him appropriately to serve as a deterrence to others who might desire to commit similar acts.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector of Police Abraham Ayitey, informed the court that the complainant, a 38-year-old Pragia rider, was the victim's father, who was in primary six.

He stated that the complainant, victim, and convict all lived in the same area of Wassa Akropong, in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region.

According to the prosecution, some two months ago, the defendant approached the victim in Wassa Akropong township and inquired about her age, to which she replied that she was twelve years old.

According to Chief Inspector Ayitey, the criminal brought the victim into his room, sexually attacked her, and then offered her GH¢20.00, warning her not to alert her parents.

The court heard that Otu took advantage of the victim, having sexual intercourse with her on three separate occasions.

The prosecution claims that on November 24, 2024, at around 1700 hours, the victim's mother learned she was pregnant and asked the victim who was to blame, to which she named Otu as the one who had been having intercourse with her.

He stated that a report was filed with the police, and the complainant was given a police medical document to transport the victim to the hospital for treatment.