Driver on trial for assaulting ex-girlfriend

Kofi Sarpong 34, has been accused of assaulting his former girlfriend 34 and a trader at Tabora, a suburb of Accra. Sarpong, a driver at Nsawam lorry station at Achimota and his former girlfriend have a four-year old girl who lives with her mother also at Tabora. However, the girlfriend lodged a complaint at the Department of Social Welfare at the Ministries against Sarpong for not honouring his financial responsibility as father of the child. Police Prosecutor Inspector Christine Amuzu-Srofenyo told Public Agenda that on November 8, 2006, the department issued a letter to the girlfriend to deliver to Sarpong. She explained that on receipt of the letter, Sarpong took offence and assaulted his former girlfriend. Sarpong is said to have hit his victim’s head with a piece of block and she bled profusely and fell unconscious. The incident was reported to the police and a medical form issued to the victim. According to Inspector Christine, Sarpong was arrested and detained for investigation and in his caution statement, he admitted the offence. He however claimed that his former girlfriend provoked him. He was charged with the offence and has been granted bail to re-appear on February 12, 2007.