A 40-year-old school teacher accused of defiling a 13 year old class three pupil walked home a free man on Tuesday, December 10, after it emerged the victim in question is actually 17 years.

The Accra Circuit Court presided over by Sedina Agbemava struck out the case against Benoonai Ayensu-Bekoe, after a medical report from the Korle Bu Teaching hospital radiology department proved that the victim’s age had been falsified.

The judge’s argument was that since the age of the victim was the reason why the accused was drag to court, the actual age of the victim renders the case weak.

Ms. Agbemava said a person accused of defilement can be charged only if the victim in question is below 16 years.

Prosecutor ASP Sarah Acquah told the court the complainant, Stephen Pagful, a resident at the Dansoman SSNIT Flats, who happens to be an uncle to the girl took her to the hospital for examination after he detected changes in her movement.

A Medical report subsequently confirmed the girl had been having sex.

The victim then confessed her sexual encounters with Benoonai Ayensu-Bekoe.

The victim's age was reduced when a report was made to the police.