Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 24 October 2015

Source: GNA

Couple in court for beating woman over money

A couple who subjected an unemployed woman to severe beatings for using part of their money to pay her wards school fees have been put before an Accra Circuit Court.

Abraham Adjei Yeboah businessman and Gloria Adjei Yeboah businesswoman were charged for engaging in domestic violence to wit physical abuse.

Abraham pleaded not guilty to the charges and he was admitted to a bail of GH¢5,000.00 with one surety to reappear on November 28.

His wife, Gloria, pleaded guilty.

The court sentenced her to a fine of GH¢480.00 and should pay the complainant Ms Agnes Abrafi Anyimedu GH¢300.00 as compensation.

According to the court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, complainant had swollen left arm, laceration on her ribs and complained of body pains, she however could not produce medical bills on the cost she incurred.

Prosecuting Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that the complainant Ms Ayimedu aged 34 resides at Asofan, in Accra.

According to prosecution, Abraham is the husband of Gloria. However Ms Ayimedu, the complainant has two kids with Abraham who are six and three years.

Prosecution said Ms Ayimedu resides in an uncompleted building belonging to Abraham.

On May 18, this year, at about 4:00pm, the couple went to the complainant’s abode to demand GHC700.00 belonging to Abraham.

According to prosecution, the GH¢700.00 was transferred to the complainant so she could pass the money on to Abraham.

Detective Inspector Atimbire said the complainant told Abraham that she had used GHC520.00 out of the amount to pay part of the children’s school fees.

Prosecution said this did not go down well with Abraham and he advised Gloria to talk to the complainant in her room.

The two however exchanged words.

Gloria held the cloth of the complainant and began beating her. On hearing the noise, prosecution said Abraham rushed to the room and pushed the complainant against a wardrobe.

The mirror in front of the wardrobe got broken and injured the left arm of the complainant. The couple however left the complainant’s residence after the incident.

A case was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit where a medical form was issued to the complainant to attend hospital.

Later the couple were arrested and granted police enquiry bail to be reporting to the Police but they failed to turn up.

Prosecution said the couple were therefore served with criminal summons to appear in court.