Godfred Ofosu Appiah, a 27-year-old tricycle rider, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in hard labor by the Ashanti Circuit Court at Old Tafo for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
The incident occurred on May 2024 at Sarfo near Asonomanso in the Ashanti region while the victim’s father, Kandi Inusah, was away in the Western North region.
The victim’s parents traveled, leaving their daughter in the care of Godfred, a tenant who lived rent-free in their home for three months.
Godfred Appiah sent his wife on an errand and then sexually assaulted the girl in an uncompleted room, threatening her to keep silent about the incident.
The victim’s mother discovered her daughter was bleeding in the vagina, and upon questioning she identified Godfred.
The mother reported the incident to the Mamponteng police, and a medical report confirmed defilement.
Godfred was taken into custody where he confessed to the crime in both his caution and charge statements, with an independent witness present. He was subsequently brought before the court to face charges.
The accused admitted to the crime in an open court. In court, Godfred admitted to the charge of defilement and pleaded guilty to sexual relations with a minor.
However, given the young age of the victim and the premeditated nature of the crime, the judge handed down a 12-year prison sentence in hard labor, aiming to serve as a deterrent.
