Man believed to be a serial killer put before court

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 Dec. ?99 -

A 40 year old man, who raped and threatened to kill a 23-year-old lady and believed by Police to be linked to the serial killings in Accra, was on Wednesday put before an Accra Community Tribunal presided over by Mr. Kojo Owusu.

The accused, John Ayittey Koranteng appeared before the court on two counts of rape and causing harm.

Koranteng, who the police think is feigning insanity, was remanded in prison custody to enable the police to complete investigations and establish his identity.

His plea was not taken.

The court further ordered that the police should ensure that the victim was given adequate treatment due to the human bites on her body to forestall any health hazards.

It also ordered that the docket be sent to the Attorney General's department on completion of police investigations.

Presenting the facts of the case, Inspector Yartey Tawiah said the victim (name withheld) was attacked while returning from Sakumono, where she works to her home at Weija on 19 November.

He said the lady got down at the Weija barrier and whiles walking home the accused appeared from the bush, attacked her with a knife and raped her, tearing her clothing apart while biting her during the ensuing struggle.

The prosecution said the victim succumbed to the man because of the threat of death and said she had the opportunity to flee when her attacker noticed the approach of a passer-by.

Inspector Tawiah said the modus operandi of the suspect, his demeanour and the fact that he appears not to be normal makes the police suspect that he might be behind some of the murders in and around Accra.

Twenty-one women have been killed in sex related murders during the past year.

The case has been adjourned to 15 December.