Agona Swedru, May 31, GNA- A circuit court at Agona Swedru has sentenced a 34-year-old mason to 18 years imprisonment in a hard labour for robbery.

Ralph Cudjoe, who pleaded guilty with an explanation to the charge of robbery and unlawful entry, would have his 18 years imprisonment run concurrently.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raymond Martey told the court presided over by Mr. Charles A. Wilson that the two victims of the robbery were traders and brothers staying in the same house near Swedru Secondary School.

DSP Martey said the accused who claimed to be mason living at Agbogbloshi in Accra on 26 May 2007, at about 0300 hours together with three others now at large attacked the victims at the house. The prosecution said the robbers used cement blocks to destroy a metal gate, entered their room and beat the victims. DSP Martey said the victims handed over 2.260 million cedis and two mobile phones to the robbers, who ordered them to surrender the money phones.

He said following a tip off, the police went to the scene of the robbery and arrest Cudjoe who went to hide at the toilet and the three others bolted. DSP Martey said Cudjoe confirmed that he committed the offence and said one Charles and Baah from Agona Kwanyako brought him to the house to engage in the robbery. 31 May 07