The Kwabenya Circuit Court has sentenced a 58-year-old mason, Joshua Bledi, to 10 years in prison for incest after impregnating his 17-year-old daughter, who has since given birth to a seven-month-old baby.
Bledi pleaded guilty to the offence and appealed for mercy, admitting the prosecution’s account was true. The court, however, considered his age, the premeditated nature of the act, and the fact that he spared the court’s time by pleading guilty, before handing down the sentence.
Prosecutor Chief Inspector Gershon Togbe Achondo noted that such cases were becoming increasingly common, describing the offence as a cultural abomination. He urged the court to impose a harsh penalty to deter others.
The case came to light when the victim, a hairdresser apprentice, faced difficulties paying her hospital bills after delivery. Social Welfare workers at Ga East Hospital intervened, during which the girl disclosed that her father was responsible for the pregnancy.
Investigations revealed that Bledi had repeatedly assaulted his daughter since she moved in with him on her mother’s instructions. He was subsequently arrested following a report to the Domestic Violence and Victims’ Support Unit (DOVVSU).
The Abuse Relief Corps, a non-profit organisation, has since stepped in to support the victim and her child.
Source: GNA
