Kumasi, Jan. 16, GNA - A Kumasi Circuit Court on Friday sentenced four people to 38 years imprisonment by for robbing and gang raping a young lady at Old Tafo in Kumasi. Kwadwo Appau, a tailor, Kwaku Asiama, an apprentice mason, Kwaku Dwumfour alias "Mark 10", an apprentice sprayer were jointly charged with conspiracy to rob, robbery and gang raping, fourth accused Ofori Atta, a driver was charged for abetment of crime. They all pleaded not guilty.

Appau and Dwumfour were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, Asiama had 15 years imprisonment and Attah had three years imprisonment.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Albert Odei Quansah, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr Adjei Frimpong that, the victim and accused persons were residents of Kumasi. He said on August 9, last year, at about 12 midnight, the victim and complainant was at Suame roundabout waiting for a vehicle to Bantama.

The prosecution said the complainant saw the accused persons in a taxi cab with registration number AS 2296 Q, towards Old Tafo, she stopped it and asked to be taken to Bantama, but was taken to Old Tafo behind the former Ash FM building where the accused persons robbed her of 40 Ghana cedis, mobile phone and gang raped her. ASP Quansah during the act, victim shouted for help and was rescued by members of a watchdog committee on patrol but the accused persons managed to escape leaving the taxi cab which had then developed a fault behind.

He said she was assisted to Old Tafo Police station where she lodged a compliant and Atta, the driver who was arrested by the watchdog committee members was handed over to the police. ASP Quansah said Atta led the police to arrest the rest and after investigations charged with the offences.