Kade, April 1, GNA - A man who had lived with a woman without performing any marriage rites but who mercilessly beat her on suspicion of having an affair with a Pastor who was treating her of an ailment has been sentenced to 30 days in prison by the Kade District Magistrate Court.

Kofi Asare who pleaded guilty was also ordered to pay GHC 300 compensation to the woman, Adwoa Vida.

The Magistrate, Mr Kwaku Baah Frimpong, in sentencing Asare said his conduct was totally wrong and unacceptable. He warned that he would deal drastically with any "woman beater" that would be brought before him.

He said since Asare had not formally married Vida, he had no right to assault her if even he had met her naked in bed with another man. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector John Cromwell, said Asare and Vida were living together at Kade 'as married couple' but for reasons best known to them, Vida left and rented a room of her own. He said recently Vida suffered from skin rashes and had been receiving herbal cure from a Pastor.

On March 10 at about 1930 hours, while Vida was going to see the pastor for some herbal preparation, Asare emerged from the bush and subjected her to severe beatings. Vida was rescued when she shouted for help, and was later escorted to the Pastor's house to collect the herbal concoction and then to her house. Meanwhile Asare had sneaked into Vida's room and as soon as she entered, he again pounced on her and subjected her to severe beatings. A report was made to the Police and Asare was arrested.