A couple, Sarah Arthur and John Arthur, and Emelia Armoo, a 19-year-old student, on Wednesday appeared before Takoradi circuit court “A” for allegedly performing unlawful trial by ordeal on Francisca Frimpong, a 7-year-old-girl.

Emelia was also charged with causing unlawful harm to Francisca.

The pleas of the accused persons were not taken and they were granted bail to the tune of 5,000 Ghana Cedis with a surety each to re-appear on October 9.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Veronica Tibson said Sarah, a trader and her husband, a driver, were grandparents to Francisca.

She said Francisca and all the accused persons stayed in the same house at Effiakuma.

Chief Inspector Tibson said on June 9 this year, Sarah and John Arthur accused Francisca of being a witch and the cause of their problems.

She said Emelia recited several incantations and inflicted severe wounds on the face of Francisca with a kitchen knife on the pretense of exorcising her of witchcraft.

Chief Inspector Tibson said later, Sarah sent the victim to a trader at Agona Nyarkrom in the Central Region who became alarmed at the injuries and lodged a complaint with the Agona Swedru Police.

She said the case was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Sekondi for further investigations.

Chief Inspector Tibson said the victim was issued with a medical form to attend hospital and the report was dully endorsed by a Principal Medical Officer.

She said all accused persons admitted the offences in their investigation cautioned statements to the Police and were charged after further investigations.