In a recent ruling by the Tarkwa Circuit Court, a 40-year-old air condition installer, Joshua Arhin, has been sentenced to 20 years of hard labour for the defilement of a 13-year-old girl in Booboobo, located within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
Arhin, who pleaded guilty, expressed remorse and sought forgiveness from the court, giving an assurance that he would not engage in such reprehensible behavior again.
According to Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, who led the prosecution, the victim's father, a mechanic, brought the case to light. The victim, a Junior High School student, had visited her sister at a drinking spot on May 25, 2024. Later in the evening, she was instructed to return home alone due to the lateness of the hour.
Subsequently, the victim's sister contacted their mother upon realizing that the victim had not arrived home. A search was initiated, and at approximately 9:30 pm on the same day, the victim was found coming from behind an incomplete school building in Booboobo. Despite being questioned, she remained silent and returned home.
It was not until June 1, 2024, when the victim confessed to experiencing severe abdominal pain, that she disclosed the harrowing ordeal she had endured. She revealed that Arhin had lured her into his bedroom after calling out to her from behind the uncompleted school building on May 25. He proceeded to sexually assault her and then administered a two-tablet drug, instructing her to ingest it.
The case was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Tarkwa, where a police medical report form was issued for the victim to receive medical treatment and documentation at the Apinto Government Hospital.
Following his evasion of authorities, Arhin was apprehended on July 21, 2024, when he visited the complainant's residence with elders to offer an apology.
This distressing incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable members of our society. The severity of the sentence handed down underscores the gravity of such offenses and sends a clear message that such reprehensible acts will not be tolerated.
It is imperative for communities to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting individuals, especially minors, from falling victim to such heinous crimes. The swift action taken by the authorities in this case is commendable and reaffirms the commitment to upholding justice and ensuring the safety of all members of society.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
