Shopkeeper in court for sexually assaulting autistic teenager

A 34-year old shop keeper has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defiling an 18-year old autistic female at Awudome Estates in Accra.

Maxwell Mbawuli pleaded not guilty to the charge of having carnal knowledge of an autistic female.

The court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku admitted Mbawuli to bail in the sum of GHȻ10,000 cedis with two sureties and will return to court on September 3.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police Agnes Boafo said the victim is an autistic child residing with her mother at Awudome Estates, Accra. Mbawuli on the other hand, has a shop adjacent the victim’s mother’s shop at Awudome Estates.

On August 1, this year, at about 4pm while the victim’s mother was not at home, Mbawuli went to the house and had sexual intercourse with the victim in a two-in-one sofa chair.

Prosecution said when the victim’s mother returned home at about 7pm, the victim informed her about the accused’s conduct.

The victim and her mother lodged a complaint with the police and a medical report form was issued to the victim to seek medical attention.

When the accused was later arrested he denied the offence in his investigations caution statement.

Credit: GNA