A court sentenced a teenage illegal miner to 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl. Paul Appiah denied the charges against him during his trial at Tarkwa circuit court. Judge Hathia Ama Manu found the 19-year-old guilty after hearing all evidence. Chief Superintendent Alex Odonkor presented the case for prosecutors. The victim's mother brought the criminal charges against Appiah.
Appiah worked at a mining site for the victim's father and lived in a rented room nearby. The defendant visited the family home on June 28, 2023, asking for hot water to cook food. The young girl followed Appiah and his friends back to their room because she knew him well. Appiah sexually assaulted the child without his roommates seeing what happened. The girl returned home crying after the attack.
Two witnesses heard the victim crying and discovered her clothing had been disturbed. The landlord and his wife became concerned and checked on the child immediately. The mother noticed her daughter acting strangely during a later visit to buy supplies. The victim revealed what Appiah had done when her mother asked questions. Appiah admitted his crime but fled before facing consequences.
Hospital staff treated the victim at two medical facilities in Tarkwa. The family reported the assault to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit. Medical officers examined the child and provided evidence for the court case. Police arrested Appiah based on the medical report and witness statements. The court convicted him after reviewing all testimony and evidence.
Appiah worked at a mining site for the victim's father and lived in a rented room nearby. The defendant visited the family home on June 28, 2023, asking for hot water to cook food. The young girl followed Appiah and his friends back to their room because she knew him well. Appiah sexually assaulted the child without his roommates seeing what happened. The girl returned home crying after the attack.
Two witnesses heard the victim crying and discovered her clothing had been disturbed. The landlord and his wife became concerned and checked on the child immediately. The mother noticed her daughter acting strangely during a later visit to buy supplies. The victim revealed what Appiah had done when her mother asked questions. Appiah admitted his crime but fled before facing consequences.
Hospital staff treated the victim at two medical facilities in Tarkwa. The family reported the assault to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit. Medical officers examined the child and provided evidence for the court case. Police arrested Appiah based on the medical report and witness statements. The court convicted him after reviewing all testimony and evidence.
