In a case that highlights the gravity of sexual offences, a 47-year-old driver, Joseph Yankson, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Gender-Based Court at the Police headquarters for sexually abusing his 13-year-old stepdaughter in Tetegu, Accra.

Yankson took advantage of the victim's mother's absence, committing the crime twice and making promises to appease the family with a sheep.

Charged with defilement, Yankson pleaded guilty, leading to his conviction by the court presided over by Dora Eshun Inkumasah.

Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyie, representing Chief Inspector Simon Tekpor, provided details of the case.

The complainant, in this instance, was a teacher and a friend of the victim's mother.

The prosecution outlined that Yankson, now a convict, was the stepfather of the victim.

The family, including the victim, resided in the same house at Tetegu, near Weija in Accra.

In 2023, the victim's mother travelled to Ajumako, leaving the children in the care of Yankson.

Exploiting the absence of his wife, Yankson engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim.

Upon the victim's mother's return, the crime came to light when the victim disclosed her ordeal.

The prosecution stated that during deliberations on the matter before family heads, Yankson admitted the offence and pledged to appease the family with a sheep.

However, on December 26, 2023, he repeated the sexual assault.

The victim bravely narrated her experience to the complainant, leading to the lodging of a complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit at the Weija Divisional Police Command on January 4, 2024.

A medical form was issued for the victim's examination and treatment, culminating in Yankson's prosecution and conviction.