Accra, April 20, GNA - A trader who allegedly poured hot water on her seven-year-old granddaughter and locked her in a room appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday charged with causing unlawful harm.

Rosemary Acquah, whose plea was not taken, has been remanded into Police custody to reappear on May 3.

Meanwhile the victim, who sustained severe burns on the mouth, chest and face, is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital. The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sarah Acquah, informed the court that the case was still under investigation. The case of the prosecution is that at about 0900 hours on April 15, the accused person put aluminium pot on a gas stove to boil some water to prepare banku.

The prosecution said while the water was boiling, the victim took a cup to fetch some of the boiled water and in the process some of the water spilled on to the stove and that made some noise. The accused, who was then in the room, the prosecution said, came out and shouted at the victim. On seeing that the victim was holding a cup of hot water in her right hand became offended and poured the hot water on her.

According to the prosecution, the victim sustained severe burns on her face, mouth and chest.

The victim's aunt on releasing that she had caused harm to the victim, mixed water with salt and applied it on the victim's burns. The following day, the accused locked the victim in a room with a big padlock and left for Church service.

On the same day, at about 1300 hours, the complainant informed the police at Kotobabi and the police went to rescue the victim after breaking into the accused person's room. The prosecution said later, Rosemary was arrested by the Police at a drinking spot.

The case was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), while the victim was sent to the Police Hospital where she is responding to treatment.