Father jailed 2 years for cutting son's ear lobe

A 55-year-old man who cut off part of his 10-year-old son's right ear for allegedly stealing his GH¢250 has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Osmanu Mumuni, alias Commander, who was charged with two counts comprising the use of offensive weapon and causing harm contrary to sections 70 and 69 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, (Act 29) appeared before the Weija Circuit Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to both counts.

Sentence

The court, presided over by Justice Bernard Bentil, convicted Mumuni on his own plea and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on each count. The sentence is to run concurrently.

The judge, prior to passing the sentence, stated that the accused was a first offender and that he had shown remorse in his demeanour.

He further stated that he wanted the punishment to serve as a deterrent to others.

Background

The mother of the victim had told the police that her ex-husband had cut off part of the boy's right ear and also put the boy's fingers in fire after accusing the boy of stealing GH¢250.

Osmanu Mumuni was arrested on May 17, 2020 by the Weija Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) for cutting off part of his son’s ear with a razor blade following a report to the police by the victim's mother.

The victim had been living with his father at Obuom-Domeabra, near Weija, since his parents divorced.

When Mumuni was arrested, he admitted cutting his son's ear for stealing his money and also claimed the victim was stubborn.

The victim, who was going through severe pains at the time of the report, was also found with marks of assault all over his body and was sent to the Amanfrom Poly Clinic, near Weija, where he was treated and discharged.

The victim, name withheld, has been handed over to his mother.

Victim admits stealing

The boy told the Daily Graphic on Monday May 18, 20202 that he took his father's money to enable him to visit his mother and also use part of the money to cover the cost of an excursion to Amasaman.

He explained that his father had always denied him of some basic needs and he had on some occasions taken money from his father without his knowledge.

He claimed the money he stole from his father was usually not huge amounts.