CAGED! Atta Kwadwo
A 30-YEAR-OLD galamsey worker, Atta Kwadwo, has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment by the Bekwai Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region for defiling an eight-year-old girl at Manso Kumpese.
The convict, who pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement of a child under 16 years, was sentenced by His Honour Isaac Apietu. ASP Lloyd Baidoo prosecuted the case.
The court heard that the incident occurred on July 10, 2026, when the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, a Primary Two pupil of New Order International School at Manso Abiram.
According to the prosecution, the accused and the victim were co-tenants at Manso Kumpese.
The prosecution told the court that the victim had finished bathing and was leaving the bathroom when she encountered the accused, who was also preparing to take his bath.
The accused allegedly forced the girl back into the bathroom and sexually assaulted her.
The court heard that the victim’s mother became suspicious when her daughter delayed returning from the bathroom. She subsequently went to check on her and allegedly discovered the accused assaulting the child.
She raised the alarm, attracting her husband to the scene.
The matter was reported to the police at Adubia, leading to the arrest of the accused and the commencement of investigations.
The victim was later taken to St. Martin’s Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum for medical examination and treatment.
The medical report indicated mild bleeding from the vaginal opening and minor injuries to the labia minora.
The prosecution further told the court that the accused denied the offence in his caution statement, but was charged and brought before the court after investigations.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
FROM David Afum, Bekwai