The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a tiler to 22 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and impregnating a 12-year-old girl.  

Stephen Otu, 32, popularly known as Atta, pleaded guilty to the charge raised against him and begged the court to have mercy on him.  

However, the court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, found Otu guilty and sentenced him accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in similar acts.  

Chief Inspector of Police Abraham Ayitey, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, a 38-year-old Pragia rider, was the father of the victim who was in primary six.  

He said the complainant, victim and the convict resided in the same area at Wassa Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region.  

According to the prosecution, about two months ago, the convict met the victim in Wassa Akropong township and asked for her age, and the victim told him she was 12 years old.  

Chief Inspector Ayitey said in the process, the convict lured the victim into his room, assaulted her sexually, and gave her GH¢20.00 after the act, and warned her not to inform her parents.  

The court heard that Otu took advantage of the victim and on three different occasions he had sexual intercourse with the victim.  

The prosecution said on November 24, 2024, at about 1700 hours, the victim’s mother noticed she was pregnant, and asked the victim who was responsible, and she mentioned Otu as the one who had been having sex with her.  

He said a report was made to the police and the complainant was given a police medical form to take the victim to the hospital for treatment.  

Chief Inspector Ayitey said the medical form submitted to the police after the victim had been examined proved that she was two months pregnant. 

He said Otu was arrested and detained to assist investigations.