Crime & Punishment of Monday, 4 May 2009

Source: GNA

Barber before court for defilement

Hohoe, May 4, GNA - Williams Norgbey, an 18-year old barber at Kpoeta in the Hohoe Municipality has appeared before a Hohoe Circuit Court for defiling a 15 year-old Junior High School girl. Norgbey, who is in prison custody, pleaded not guilty to the charge and is expected to re-appear before the court, presided over by Mr Edward Apenkwa on May 15, this year.

Police Chief Inspector Samuel Gbedemah told the court that the victim who is the complainant in the case, reported threats on her life by Norgbey to the Police and during interrogation alleged that the suspect was her boyfriend, who in the last six years has had several bouts of sex with her.

He said when suspect was arrested and queried; he admitted the sex assertion by complainant, but denied vehemently threats on her life, as there was no evidence to support her claim. Mr Gbedemah said suspect's admission of being a boyfriend of complainant and having had sex with a minor, less than 16 years constituted a crime. Complainant was therefore issued with medical forms to attend hospital while the case docket was forwarded to the Attorney-General's Department for study and advice.