A 34-year old shopkeeper has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defiling an 18-year-old mentally challenged woman at Awudome Estates in Accra.

Maxwell Mbawuli pleaded not guilty to the charge of having carnal knowledge of a female imbecile.

The court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku admitted Mbawuli to bail in the sum of GHS10,000 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 1600 hours 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.

The prosecution said when the victim’s mother returned home at about 1900 hours, 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 her to seek medical attention.

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

Credit: GNA