Accra, June 9, GNA - A 21-year-old teacher who allegedly defiled his headmistress' seven-year-old daughter in a classroom on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court charged with defilement. Nelson Bless Akpertey who allegedly defiled the victim, a class three pupil, pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa remanded him into Police custody to re-appear on June 16.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Anthony Afetsi said the complainant was the victim's mother, and headmistress of a school at Agbogba, an Accra suburb. He said during March, this year, the complainant was hospitalised for a week and upon her return from the hospital noticed a change in the way the victim walked.

Prosecution said when the complainant asked the victim what had happened to her, victim told her that on May 26, this year, the accused defiled her in a classroom during lunch hours. According to prosecution, the victim said her colleagues were asked to go down the storey building before the act took place on a table in the classroom.

He said victim's mother on hearing what had happened reported the matter to the police and accused was arrested while a medical form was issued to the victim for examination. Prosecution said Akpertey however, denied the offence. 9 June 10