Some residents in a community are happy with the outcome of a case involving one of their friends who was arrested and charged with carnal abuse.

though the man was convicted of the offence and given a suspended sentence, the residents said they were pleased he did not have to serve a prison term.

One of the residents explained that though he does not condone sexual abuse of children, he said the girl, who was 14 at the time of the incident, had tricked his friend that she was 17 years old.

"My friend had no idea that she was only 14, because they do not live in the same district," the resident said.

"The girl became pregnant and had a child for my friend, and it was during her pregnancy that the matter was reported to the police. The police did not arrest my friend until after the birth of the child.

"My friend, who is in his early 30s, has taken up the responsibility of taking care of the girl and her baby, and is being a wonderful provider to them. He is even sending the girl back to school. The girl, who is now over 16 years, has expressed her love for my friend many times, and I think she loves him very much. My friend really loves and respects herl and her relatives.

"When we heard the news that he was arrested and charged, almost everyone in our community began to give support to my friend. He is a well-respected fellow and he works very hard. I was very concerned when I heard he was arrested and charged. After he was bailed, I spoke to him abut the matter. He told me that he did not know she was so young, because she told him that she was 17 years old. The girl even admitted in court that she had lied to my friend about her age.

looks older

"The girl really looks much older than 17, and I believe my friend that he was not aware of her age. He told me that if he knew that she was so young, he would not had a relationship with her. He now says, despite the ordeal he went through, he really loves the girl and his child. We, as his friends, are very happy that he did not have to do jail time, and he can now continue to take care of his child.

"I just want men to know that they must make special efforts to find out the ages of young girls before they become involved in intimate relationships with them."

Your friend is very fortunate that leniency was extended to him by the judge, and he was not sent to prison. The age of consent is 16 years. therefore, a man cannot use consent as a defence to carnal abuse involving a girl under the age of 16.

Sections 48 and 50 of the Offences Against the Person Act states, in part, that any person who unlawfully and carnally abuse a girl under the age of 12, if convicted, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years. Those found guilty of carnal abuse involving girls under the age of 16 shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding seven years.