Juaso (Ash), Feb. 24, GNA - The Juaso Circuit Court has remanded a 71 year-old farmer into prison custody for allegedly raping his 17 year-old grand daughter at Konongo.

Peter Kwaku Poku, whose plea was not taken, was initially charged with canal knowledge of the victim when he first appeared before the court, and had since been remanded on several occasions in connection with the case.

However, when he appeared in court on Monday, an advice from the Attorney General's Department preferred a charge of rape against him and will therefore re-appear before the court on March 9. Police Chief Inspector Stephen Opare, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Justice Jacob Boon, sitting as an additional circuit court judge that the victim was the grand daughter of the accused and they both lived in the same vicinity.

He said on February 17, last year Poku was in his room watching television when the victim entered to join him. Moments later, Poku dragged the victim onto his bed and forcibly had sex with her after which he cautioned her to remain silent. The victim however, informed her mother who took her to the police station where a medical form was issued for the victim to attend hospital.

The form was later returned to the police duly endorsed, and the police arrested the accused.