Francis Cudjoe, a 19-year-old carpenter, has been handed a 50-year prison sentence by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for sexually abusing a primary two pupil.
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Despite pleading guilty with an explanation, the court overruled Cudjoe’s plea. He was charged on two counts, with each count carrying a 25-year sentence to be served consecutively.
The offenses occurred in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Before the judgment was pronounced, Cudjoe, visibly remorseful, knelt before the court and begged for forgiveness, especially from the victim’s mother.
Police Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, the prosecutor in the case, informed the court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu that the victim, a seven-year-old, and her mother reside in Bankyim, a suburb of Tarkwa.
The victim’s mother operates a chop bar, and Cudjoe, a close friend, often runs errands for her.
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Taking advantage of this relationship, Cudjoe began sneaking into the victim’s room to engage in sexual intercourse with her since 2023, according to Superintendent Essel-Dadzie.
In March 2024, Cudjoe committed the act again while the victim’s mother was away attending church.
The incident came to light on March 13, 2024, when two teachers from the victim’s school confronted her about Cudjoe, who had been reported to the police for defiling someone in their school.
The victim disclosed that Cudjoe had been sexually abusing her since 2023.
Upon learning this, the teachers informed their colleague, who then contacted the victim’s mother and broke the news to her.
Subsequently, the matter was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Tarkwa, leading to Cudjoe’s arrest and detention for further investigation.
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