Regional News of Sunday, 21 September 2003

Source: GNA

Two ex-convicts jailed 14 years for stealing

Tema, Sept. 21, GNA -- Two ex-convicts who had planned that a particular night was appropriate to steal building materials for a living did not live in their homes to enjoy their booty as they found themselves in police cells and subsequently languishing in prisons for a total of 14 years.

Akonotey Addy, a 22 year old plumber at Ayikuma and Mohammed Ali, scrap dealer at Tema were given away by warning shots fired by unsuspecting people when they were in the process of taking the building materials away, a Tema Circuit court "B" was told.

They pleaded guilty to unlawful entry, unlawful damage and stealing two water closets, two water basins and the presiding judge, Mr Stephen Teye sentenced each person to seven years imprisonment.

Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi stated that the accused persons were prison mates at the Akuse Prisons and in early this month Ali offered to take Addy to see his (Ali's) house at Ayikuma.

When they reached a house under construction they immediately planned that the building materials could be "a good job for the night" so they executed the plan, stole them and concealed them in a nearby bush.

They went for a taxi to convey them but in the process of loading them into the vehicle they heard a warning shot and the taxi driver suspecting them of evil intention raised alarm and they were arrested. Inspector Gyamfi said last Tuesday, September 16 someone informed the complainant that the Ayikuma police have arrested some people with building materials so he proceeded to the police station and identified the materials as his and they admitted the theft. 21 Sept. 03