A 45- year- old cleaner who was accused of defiling a 13- year- old student under a tree at La in Accra, was on Wednesday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

Samuel Adjei Mensah’s conviction came after the court had found him guilty on the charge of defilement.

Mensah broke down in tears when the sentence was handed down to him by the court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong- Adjin Doku.

Prosecuting Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant, a 35- year- old food vendor, is the mother of the victim.

Prosecution said the victim and her mother live at La in Accra. Mensah also resides at La Koo, in Accra.

Detective Inspector Atimbire said on July 26, at about 2100 hours, the victim attended nature’s call at a public toilet at an area known as George Alhassan, near the victim’s house.

According to prosecution, the victim after visiting the toilet was not forth coming hence her mother followed up to see what was happening.

The victim’s mother did not see her so she returned to the house at about 0200 hours the following day.

Prosecution said at about 0600 hours, the victim returned and when she was quizzed she explained that on the previous night, whilst returning from the toilet, she met the convict, who asked her to buy him two sachets of water.

According to the victim, Mensah showed her a place to bring the water.

Prosecution said when the victim brought the water, Mensah lured her to a compound and had sex with her under a big Nim tree.

Complaint was lodged with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Accra and medical form was issued to the complainant to send the victim to the hospital for treatment.

Prosecution said when Mensah was nabbed, he denied having sex with the victim in his caution statement.