KWASI BREKUM vs. THE REPUBLIC

This is an appeal against sentence. On a plea of not guilty to a charge of defilement of a female under the age of sixteen years contrary to Section 101 of Act 29/60 as amended by Section 11 of Act 554/98, the Appellant was taken through trial, convicted and sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment in hard labour and in addition ordered to pay an amount of GH₵300 to the victim to defray part of her medical bills. The Appellant who is unrepresented in arguing his appeal stated that the sentence imposed was harsh and he being a first time offender should not have been given the harsh sentence. The grounds of appeal are that the Appellant has regretted his action and out of remorse he is praying the Court to reduce the sentence. That his life has undergone a significant positive transformation and he was to keep away from all forms of crime in future and that he has learnt his lessons during the period he has so far served in prison since his arrest. Learned Assistant State Attorney i.....