Man, 22, jailed 10 years for impregnating minor

A 22-year-old unemployed man who impregnated a 15-year-old girl at Bubiashie, Orgle Road in Accra, has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court.

Frederick Laryea, pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement and was sentenced on his own plea.

He is said to have maintained the relationship despite several warnings from the victim’s mother to stay away from her daughter and eventually impregnated the victim.

Laryea, after pleading guilty, prayed the court to be lenient with him with the explanation that he already has a four-year-old child to take care of in addition to the victim’s baby.

Passing the sentence last Wednesday, May 27, the presiding judge, Mrs Christina Cann, said she took into consideration the seriousness of the case, its prevalence in
communities and the country in general and the truncation of the victim’s education.

The judge also took into consideration, Laryea’s age, for being a first time offender and the fact that he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Facts of the case

Narrating the facts of the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police Agnes Boafo, said the complainant, who is the victim’s mother and the victim lived in the same house with Laryea at Bubiashie,Orgle Road in Accra.

Ms Boafo said Laryea lured the victim into his room and slept with her a number of times between June and August 2018.

According to the prosecution, Laryea stopped after the complainant warned him to stay away from her daughter.

DSP Boafo said in March 2019, Laryea rekindled the amorous relationship and impregnated the girl, despite the earlier warning.

The prosecutor said Laryea escaped and went into hiding when the complainant confronted him over her daughter’s pregnancy.

The complainant spotted him at Russia, a suburb of Dansoman, on April 9, and informed the police, leading to his arrest.

After Laryea’s arrest, the prosecution said the case was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Kaneshie after which Laryea was issued with a police medical form to take the victim to the hospital for examination and treatment.

DSP Boafo said after the examination, the medical officer confirmed that the victim had been sexually abused and impregnated.

The prosecution said that during interrogation, Laryea admitted the offence.