Peter Barabu, a steel bender who stays in Ashaiman, was apprehended by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service for having sexual intercourse with his biological daughter for over two years.

 

Chief Inspector Mary Assan, the prosecutor in the case, told the court presided over by Lydia Osei-Marfo that the victim and her 13-year-old brother were staying with their paternal grandfather at Klikor in the Volta Region when the suspect brought them to his abode at Ashaiman some three years ago.

 

Somewhere in December 2012 during the Christmas festivities, the suspect, who slept in the same room with his daughter, one day ordered the girl, who was then sleeping on the floor, to join him on his bed.

 

The victim obliged to the father’s request and while sleeping, the father began fondling her breasts.

 

The girl protested but the father did not budge and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

 

After this, the suspect continued to defile the minor until June 18, 2015 at about 9:00 p.m. when the victim mustered courage and protested again.

 

The suspect, who was said to have become offended by this, beat the victim with a torchlight till she finally gave in.

 

Immediately after the incident, the victim reportedly ran out of the room and sought refuge in a neighbour’s house. The next day a formal complaint was lodged at DOVVSU in Ashaiman.

 

A police medical report form was issued to the victim to go for examination and treatment. The medical examination confirmed that the victim had indeed been defiled.

 

The suspect was arrested and in his caution statement, denied the offence but was arraigned before the Ashaiman Circuit Court.