By Jimmy
One James Rich has been arrested for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a teenager inside a Church toilet in Anambra State.
According to the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, the man, an Anambra-state indigene identified as James Rich, was arrested in Awka.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the Media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, said the suspect was arrested with the help of the Anambra State Police Command.
The suspect, who works as a yardman at St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite-Awka, repeatedly had carnal knowledge of the 14-year-old girl inside the church’s toilet and impregnated her in the process.
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“Interviewing the suspect, he accepted to have defiled the 14-year-old and impregnated her in the process,” the statement said. “He explained that he usually does so every Sunday morning at the church premises and that he has had carnal knowledge of her for about three times after which he gives her the sum of N200 to buy biscuit.
“The suspect, though married with two children and expecting a third child, lives in the church premises where he carries out his daily activity. He pleaded for pardon, stating that this was his first time committing the crime and that it was a temptation that made him do so.”
When interrogated, the victim, who has reportedly developed mental challenges, said the 31-year-old suspect usually defiles her early every Sunday morning before the 6:30 a.m. service starts.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner disclosed that the case would be charged to court immediately to get justice for the girl.
She also warned adults to stop defiling young girls especially minors to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison as the state does not tolerate such.
