A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 39-year-old carpenter, Peter Asamoah, to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a nine-year-old girl. The incident occurred in Yareyeya, a community within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
Asamoah pleaded guilty with explanation before Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, the presiding judge. He claimed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence and appealed for leniency.
According to the prosecution, led by Police Chief Inspector David Owusu, the incident took place on November 7, 2024. The victim's 34-year-old mother had left her alone at home while she went to the farm. Asamoah, who lived in the same community, lured the girl into his room and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.
A witness, identified as Kwakye, heard the victim's cries and intervened, discovering Asamoah in the act. Fearing reprisal, the victim initially did not tell her mother. However, on November 10, 2024, she revealed the incident. Kwakye also informed the mother, who subsequently confronted Asamoah. He confessed and begged for forgiveness.
The mother then reported the incident to a nearby police officer, leading to Asamoah's arrest and transfer to the Western Central Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) office in Tarkwa. A medical examination at the Apinto Government Hospital confirmed that the victim had been defiled.
The court, after considering the evidence and Asamoah's plea, handed down the 20-year sentence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of child sexual abuse and the importance of swift and decisive action against perpetrators. The lengthy sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and the court's commitment to protecting vulnerable children.
