Carpenter convicted for subjecting minor to inhuman treatment

Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - A carpenter who tied up his 11 year-old brother-in-law and used a pair of scissors to inflict deep wounds on his ears, hands and feet was on Tuesday convicted to a fine of GH¢1,200 by a Circuit Court in Accra.

The court presided over Mrs Patience Tetteh-Mills said in default Eric Mensah, 32, would go to jail for three years.

In addition, he is to pay the victim's medical expenses. Mensah, who accused the victim of allegedly teaching his daughter how to steal and being a truant, spanked him with a rope leaving multiple wounds on him and also shaved his head. He pleaded guilty with explanation to causing harm and assault. In his explanation, Mensah said the victim was disobedient and he decided to discipline him but admitted that his actions were excessive. According to him because of the behaviour of the victim he had decided to send him back to his mother and pleaded with the court to deal leniently with him.

The prosecutor, Inspector I.A.A. Ahor, told the court that the victim was a truant and all efforts to reform him had proved futile. The prosecution said Mensah accused the victim of teaching his daughter how to steal and began maltreating him.

According to the prosecution, Mensah alleged that the victim some time ago stole groundnuts worth 40 Ghana pesewas and later his daughter also stole groundnut worth 40 Ghana pesewas. The prosecution said on September 21, the victim after taking his breakfast left the house at about 0730 and he failed to return to the house on that day.

Mensah found him the following day and brought him to the house. He then tied the hands of the victim and inflicted scissors wounds on his ears, behind his two palms and both feet. He then spanked him and shaved his head. The prosecution said Solomon Armah Oblie, the assembly man for Manhean, was informed about the incident and he mobilized some men in the area who arrested him.