Apprentice steel bender sentenced to 15 years for defilement

A teenage apprentice “steel bender” has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in hard labour for defilement. Eric Mensah, 18, was accused of abduction and sexual assault of his 15 year-old victim. He pleaded guilty to both charges. Police Detective Inspector Martin Assenso told the court presided over by Mr Justice William Boampong, that the victim lives with the father Peter Kwabena Gyimah at Breman-Nkontwima in Kumasi. The convict also resides in the same area. On December 20, last year, at about 1930 hours, the girl sought permission from the father to visit her grandmother, who resides few metres away, but she failed to return. The prosecution said Gyimah became anxious after learning that the daughter was not with the grandmother. He therefore went searching for her and after four days he was alerted that the victim was being kept in the room of Mensah. Police Inspector Assenso said acting upon the information, he set off for the convict’s house and met the two on the way. Mensah in his caution statement to the police admitted keeping her for one night.