Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 9 February 2006

Source: GNA

Clearing Agent fined for stealing

Tema, Feb. 9, GNA - The Tema Circuit Court 'A' on Wednesday fined a clearing agent 10 million cedis or in default serve five years' imprisonment for breaking into somebody's room and stealing items valued more than 35 million cedis.

The accused, Kenneth Yarkwah pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.

Three other accomplices, Micheal Ayi, alias Ohene, Samuel Atimbiok and Laila Curfew Davies, who also pleaded guilty, were granted 30 million cedis bail each to re-appear on March 15.

District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tuaruka Duuti told the court, presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu, that Kweku Poku Acheampong, the complainant, was a clearing agent at Tema who travelled to Takoradi on February three, 2006 and returned three later only to find out that thieves had broken into his room.

DSP Duuti said Acheampong reported the theft to the police after detecting that the thieves made away with two laptop computers, three Motorola Mobile phones, two Bluetooth hands-free devices, two copper chains and two wrist watches, all totalling 35.3 million cedis in addition to cash of five million cedis.

The Court heard that the four accused persons were arrested at 'RF' Hotel at Tema Community 'Two', as a result of a tip-off. DSP Duuti said the Police later retrieved the two laptop computers, two wrist watches, two copper chains, two Motorola mobile phones and one of the Bluetooth devices from the hotel room of the accused. He said the third Motorola mobile phone was later retrieved in Kenneth Yarkwah's room.

According to him, the four persons admitted committing the offence. 09 Feb 06