A cobbler, Ebenezer Otoo, was last Friday jailed 15 years for having sex with a nine year old girl at James Town, a suburb of Accra, by a circuit court in Accra.
Otoo, 45, married to four wives, and with 14 children, who was charged with defilement, pleaded guilty and asked for leniency.
The court presided by Mrs Justice Rita AbrokwaDoko convicted him on his own plea, saying his sentence should serve as deterrent to others.
Sergeant Opoku Aniagyei said the complainant is a 60yearold trader, residing at James Town and the victim is her granddaughter.
Prosecution said Otoo also resides in the same vicinity, and used to stay in the same house with the complainant and her granddaughter until he recently relocated to another house in the area.
Sgt Aniagyei said in May, 2019, the complainant travelled and left the victim in the care of Otoo and his family.
The prosecution said the victim slept in Otoo’s sitting room for about two weeks before the complainant returned.
According to prosecution, whiles the victim was sleeping in Otoo’s room with one of his daughters (name withheld), Otoo lifted the victim to his room and had sexual intercourse with her, and threatened the victim not tell anyone or else he would kill her.
The court heard that the sexual act persisted until February 5, this year.
Sgt Aniagyei said on another occasion, the victim was watching television with the convict’s children, and Otoo presented drinks to his children.
The court heard that Otoo asked the victim to follow him to his room for her share, and took advantage of the situation and had sex with the victim again.
Sgt Aniagyei said when complainant saw blood strains in the victims panties, she quizzed the victim, who disclosed her ordeal to the complainant.
Prosecution said the complainant reported the matter to the James Town Police and the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit.
He said a police medical report form was issued to the complainant to seek treatment, and Otoo admitted the offence in his cautioned statement. -GNA
