The Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old teacher to 12 years' imprisonment for defiling a 12-year-old pupil.

Hondana Mensah was found guilty of defilement, contrary to Section 101(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by Section 18 of Act 554.

The court, presided over by Mr Kwasi Appiatse Abaidoo, convicted and sentenced the accused after the prosecution established the offence.

Chief Inspector Godsway Kromoah, who prosecuted the case, told the court that the complainant, a 43-year-old businesswoman, lives at Combine, a suburb of Akosombo, with her 12-year-old daughter, a Class Six pupil.

The prosecution said Mensah, the victim's class teacher, had been providing private French lessons to the child for about four years after he was engaged by the complainant.

According to the prosecution, the complainant on July 11, 2026, observed changes in her daughter's manner of walking and questioned her. The child disclosed that on July 8, 2026, at about 5:00 pm, the teacher had sexual intercourse with her while conducting lessons at the family's residence.

The court heard that the accused allegedly warned the victim not to report the incident, claiming it would bring shame upon her. He also threatened to fail her in his subject during the end-of-term examinations if she disclosed the matter, the prosecution said.

The incident was subsequently reported to the police, who took statements from the complainant and the victim. A medical examination conducted at a government hospital after police issued a medical report form produced findings consistent with sexual assault.

Mensah was arrested on July 12, 2026. In his cautioned statement, he denied having sexual intercourse with the victim.

Following investigations, he was charged with defilement and prosecuted before the Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court. The court sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, describing the punishment as a deterrent against sexual offences involving children and other vulnerable persons.