Man jailed two years for assaulting three-year-old son

The Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Ms Patricia Amponsah, has sentenced the 26-year-old man who physically assaulted his three-year-old son to 24 months jail term.

The convict, Ebenezer Osei Bonsu, will also sign a bond of good behaviour or in default, be jailed for four years. The bond is to last to for four years.

Bonsu was charged on one count each of assault and causing harm to his three-year old son who he claimed damaged his phone and also urinated on his bed. He was convicted by the court on his own plea of guilt.

Conviction

Bonsu was convicted last week after he pleaded guilty to the two charges preferred against him.

The court however, deferred sentencing to June 9, 2020

Sentencing 

In passing the sentence, the presiding judge said she took into consideration his young age and the plea for leniency from his counsel and the fact that he did not waste the court’s time.

She said the court also took into the consideration of the welfare of the child and the need for him to be taken care before sentencing him.

Background

In early May this year, the convict was arrested by the Manhyia Divisional Police Command following a complaint made by Barbara Obeng.

He was charged with assault and causing harm to his three year old son for allegedly damaging his phone and also wetting his bed.

According to prosecution led by Inspector Regina Oparebea Amoako, Bonsu and Barbara Obeng, were former students of the Komfo Anokye Senior High School who were in a relationship for a while that produced a son, the victim.

She said Bonsu, who is currently doing his national service in Accra, often went to Kumasi during weekends.

He said on April 9, 2020, Bonsu went for the child to spend his birthday with him at his place.

However, she said, after the birthday, Bonsu did not return the boy to Barbara, as he usually whenever he came for him until the mother received a call from some to inform her that the father has been maltreating the boy.

She said it was after this that Barbra tried to retrieve the boy from Bonsu to no avail and it had to take the involvement of the police before the boy was released to her.

According to the prosecution, it was when the boy was returned to the mother that the injuries on him were discovered and the case was reported to the police leading to his arrest

Leniency

Earlier, counsel for the convict, Mr Samuel Amofa Koduah, pleaded with the court to deal leniently with his client as he has shown remorse and regretted his action.

According to him, it was never the intention of his client to cause harm to his own son and that it was unfortunate that he allowed anger to take control of his actions.

He said his client has resolved to become an advocate against child abuse and pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Mr Koduah also expressed gratitude to the court for listening to their plea and dealing with them leniently.

Reactions

After the ruling, the complainant in the case, Ms Barbara Obeng, who is the mother of the boy, expressed satisfaction at the ruling and believed that justice has been served.

Although she would have wished for a stiffer sentence, she said the 24 months given him should be enough to teach him some lessons.

She, however, appealed for support to enable her to go back to school to become a better person and be in a position to take good care of the boy.

She said the boy was doing well has had all his wounds had healed and is now gay and hearty.