The Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old teacher to 12 years’ imprisonment for defiling a 12-year-old pupil.
Hondana Mensah was found guilty of defilement, contrary to Section 101(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by Section 18 of Act 554.
The court, presided over by Kwasi Appiatse Abaidoo, convicted and sentenced the accused after the prosecution successfully established the offence.
Chief Inspector Godsway Kromoah told the court that the complainant, a 43-year-old businesswoman, lives at Combine, a suburb of Akosombo, with her 12-year-old daughter, a Class Six pupil.
The prosecution stated that Mensah, the victim’s class teacher, had been providing private French lessons to the child for about four years after being engaged by the mother.
The court heard that on 11 July 2026, the complainant noticed changes in her daughter’s gait and questioned her. The child disclosed that on 8 July 2026, at around 5pm, the teacher assaulted her while conducting lessons at the family residence.
According to the prosecution, the accused warned the victim not to report the incident, claiming it would bring shame upon her, and threatened to fail her in his subject during the end-of-term examinations if she spoke out.
The matter was reported to the police, who took statements from the mother and daughter.
A medical examination conducted at a government hospital subsequently produced findings consistent with sexual assault.
Mensah was arrested on 12 July 2026. Although he denied the allegations in his cautioned statement, he was charged and prosecuted following thorough investigations.
In handing down the 12-year custodial sentence, the court described the punishment as a deterrent against sexual offences involving children and vulnerable persons.
