A pastor who promised taking a teen girl to a piano lesson but later diverted her to other duties has landed in prison.
Ghanaian Emmanuel Yeboah, a 38-year-old self-styled pastor based in Barrie, Canada, will spend the next 18 months behind bars, following his conviction over sexual assault, sexual interference, and assault of a 13 year old
He was to take the girl through piano lessons three years ago, but took advantage of his acceptance and familiarity in the family that to subject the vulnerable child to meeting her sexual needs.
It was such an experience for the girl tbat the next time, she sighted Yeboah in their home, she ran out in fright and went to take refuge in a neigbour’s house.
That was when the deeds of the man came to the light.
Court proceedings heard that Yeboah was regarded not only as a pastor by members of his congregation but also as a trusted family friend of the victim’s relatives.
According to evidence presented in court, he had offered to take the teenager to a piano lesson, an outing prosecutors argued later became an abuse of trust
Justice Robert Gattrell, would not allow graphic detail details, but testimony indicated that inappropriate conduct occurred while the pair were alone together for the so-called piano lesson.
The victim later returned home, distressed by the experience.
During sentencing, Justice Gattrell noted that some of Yeboah’s actions reflected behaviour commonly associated with grooming, including attempts to build trust through gifts and friendly gestures.
The full emotional impact on the teenager became obvious however when she unexpectedly encountered Yeboah again at her family home that she became too frightened as to go and seek refuge at a neighbour’s residence.
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Report of the case indicated that Yeboah maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
Crown prosecutors had sought a four-year prison term, arguing that the offences involved a serious breach of trust and emotional harm to a vulnerable young person, but the defence request for a reduced sentence of one year, citing Yeboah’s lack of a prior criminal record, sailed through.
Other considerations in the lighter sentence were his role as the sole provider for his family, and the continued support he received within his community.
After pleas that a stiffer sentence would have far-reaching impact on Yeboah’s wife and children, as well as raise immigration consequences, Justice Gattrell imposed an 18-month custodial sentence on him.
