I don’t believe she is under aged — Accused challenges age of defiled student in court

“I am responsible for the pregnancy and also gave her the drug to abort the baby but I don’t believe she is underage”, this was the defence of 31-year-old Simon Alonzo, a teacher alleged to have defiled his 14-year-old student.

During his appearance at the Accra Circuit Court, Alonzo vehemently denied that his actions amounted to defilement.

According to him, there was no way the girl could be 14 years old.

“My Lord, the charge of defilement is fictitious. This is not defilement. She is not 14,’’ he said.

Alonzo’s answer by way of defence threw the court into a state of laughter.

Alonzo has been charged with defilement and was remanded by the court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku,

His plea was not taken due to his insistence that the girl is not 14.

In view of that, the presiding judge ordered the investigator to provide the birth certificate of the alleged victim to ascertain her true age.

Hearing continues on April 6, 2018

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that Alonzo and the complainant lived in the same house at Nmai Dzor, Accra.

According to him, Alonzo usually assisted the girl with her homework, while she also helped the accused with petty house chores.

Prosecution said on February 18, 2018, Alonzo lured the girl into his room and had sexual intercourse with her and warned her not tell anyone.

At the end of February, this year, the girl detected that she was pregnant and informed Alonzo who again warned her not to inform her parents.

On March 12, Alonzo gave a drug to the girl with the intent of terminating the pregnancy.

After she took the drug, she had complications and bled for four days.

The prosecutor said the complainant got wind of it and confronted her.

The girl then disclosed that she was defiled by Alonzo and got pregnant.

She further stated that Alonzo gave her drugs to terminate the pregnancy.

The girl was rushed to the hospital where she is receiving treatment.