The Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court has sentenced Nicholas Adjarlolo, a 23-year-old commercial tricycle (Pragia) rider, to seven years’ imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old Junior High School student at Sawer, a suburb of Somanya.

The court, presided over by Mr Kwasi Appiatse Abaidoo, convicted Adjarlolo on a charge of defilement of a girl under 16, contrary to Section 101(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Presenting the facts, ASP Nana Akomeah, Somanya District Police Commander, said the complainant was a 41-year-old trader and mother of the victim. Both are residents of Sawer.

He said the complainant reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service on July 24 that her daughter had left home at about 10:00 p.m. on July 23 and had not returned

ASP Akomeah said the complainant later received information that the accused had taken the victim to his room at Sawer.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, accompanied by police officers, proceeded to the accused’s residence, where they found him in his room with the victim.

Both were taken to the police station to assist with investigations.

ASP Akomeah said the victim was issued with a police medical report form, and the medical report confirmed she had engaged in sexual intercourse.

During investigations, the accused admitted having sexual intercourse with the victim and claimed she was his girlfriend.

He told investigators they had been in a relationship for about two months and further admitted having sexual intercourse with her on two occasions.

Adjarlolo was subsequently charged with defilement, tried by the court, convicted and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.