Ex-serviceman appears before court for defiling school girl

Takoradi, Feb. 17, GNA - Donko Franco Hayford, a 55-year-old ex-serviceman, on Wednesday appeared before Takoradi Circuit Court "A" for allegedly defiling a 7-year-old class one pupil. His plea was not taken and he was remanded to re-appear on March 12 this year. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alice Parker-Wilson said in the morning of February 8 the accused person met the victim on her way to school at Assorku Essaman near Takoradi and gave her one cedi to buy him some salt. She said the victim returned to the accused with the salt and the accused dragged the girl to a nearby bush and defiled her. Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said after the act, the accused warned the victim against disclosing what had happened to anybody or else he would kill her. She said the victim was in pains so she could not go to school and returned home but her mother was not at home. Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said when her mother returned home in the evening, the victim told her what had occurred between her and the accused. She said the mother reported the matter to the Police and the accused was arrested. 17 Feb 10