A Tarkwa circuit court has sentenced a farmer to a 36- months jail term for causing harm to his 13 year-old grandson, resulting in the amputation his left leg .
The convict, Esobillah Azure, 48, pleaded not guilty.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Faustina Celestina Anaman, told the Court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew, that the complainant, Kwasi Michael, a farmer, resides at Nyamebekyere, a farming community near Kwahu in the Aowin Municipality , whilst Azure and his family, including the victim, lived in a cottage close to the area.
She said during the recent school holidays, the convict’s wife and children travelled to their home town in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
They, however, left behind the victim, Michael Atanga, who is a primary two pupil of Nyamebekyere Municipal/Assembly Primary School.
She said the convict, at a point, asked the victim to stop attending school and help him in his farming activities, but the victim refused and pleaded with Azure to take him to his mother in Bolgatanga.
On April 24, this year, at about 0700 hrs, the convict raised the same issue and warned the victim to adhere to his advice else he would deal with him drastically.
The victim then told Azure he would not abandon his academics for farm work.
Chief Inspector Anaman said Azure, who became offended, beat the victim mercilessly and in the process, used a machete to inflicted wounds on his left leg.
She said though the victim was bleeding profusely, the convict went for a kitchen stool and hit the leg several times until it got fractured.
After the inhuman act, the convict dumped the victim in his room, left the house.
On April 30, at about 0600 hours, whilst the complainant was passing by Azure’s cottage to his farm, he saw blood stains in his compound with flies all over.
The complainant then went closer and heard someone groaning in the room and upon entering, he saw the victim lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on the left leg.
She said the complainant rushed to the community and informed the opinion leaders, who came and conveyed the victim to the Enchi Government Hospital for treatment.
They later made a report to the Police and the convict was apprehended from his hideout.
The prosecution told the court that on May 2, Dr Frank Agbermordzi, Medical Officer in charge of the Enchi Government Hospital, amputated the victim’s left leg due to infection.