The Gender Based Violence Court has handed down an eight-year prison sentence to Joseph Gyadu, known as Cudjoe, after he pleaded guilty to defiling a 14-year-old girl in New Amanfrom, Accra.
The 25-year-old labourer, charged with defilement, admitted to the crime, leading to his conviction by the court presided over by Dora Eshun Inkumsah.
According to Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, who represented Detective Chief Inspector Simon Tekpor, the complainant, in this case, was a seamstress and the mother of the victim.
The accused and the complainant were neighbours, both residing in New Amanfrom, Accra.
The prosecution outlined that the complainant had a close friendship with the accused person's wife. Gyadu and his wife would often send the victim on errands.
In May 2023, with both the complainant and Gyadu's wife away for work in Odorkor, the accused took advantage of their absence, luring the victim into his room and engaging in sexual intercourse with her.
The prosecution further revealed that in October 2023, Gyadu repeated the crime, having sexual intercourse with the victim in a different house within the same area. It was only in the same month that the complainant discovered the victim's pregnancy. When questioned, the victim identified Gyadu as the one responsible.
On December 7, 2023, the complainant reported the incident to the Weija Divisional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), leading to the issuance of a medical form for the victim's examination and treatment. Gyadu was subsequently arrested and subjected to investigation.
The court convicted him based on his plea, sentencing him to eight years in prison.