Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 6 April 2013

Source: GNA

Court jails 26-year-old man for stealing

A Circuit Court in Tarkwa has sentenced a 26 year-old man, Philip obeng Kwadwo to five-years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing a lap top and a system unit valued at GH¢2,000.

He was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecuting, Detective Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that, the complainant, Kwadwo Asiedu is a business man residing at Dekyemso a suburb of Dadieso while the convict lived in Kumasi Bebre.

He said in September 2011, the convict arrived from Kumasi to Dadieso and was working for one Madam Ama Dansowa at her clinic where the complainant contracted him to tile his drinking and chop spot for him.

Detective Amponsah said Obeng charged the complainant GH¢500 and he made a part payment of GH¢250.

In December last year, the convict returned to Dadieso and approached the complainant for his balance, however Mr Asiedu said he had only GH¢150 on him.

The complainant therefore asked the convict to wait at his spot while he gets the remaining money for him.

Detective Amponsah said as soon as the complainant left, his wife also went to attend to natures call while the employee was busy at the kitchen. Obeng therefore took advantage of the absence of the three, entered the complainant’s room and stole the items.

He said the worker saw the convict carrying away the items and raised the alarm, but he took to his heels with the items.

The complainant traced the convict to Madam Dasowa clinic and gave him the remaining GH¢100 but he refused claiming that Mr Asiedu had unduly delayed him.

Detective Amponsah said this resulted in exchange of words between them and before the complainant realized, Obeng broke an empty bottle and used it to inflict a deep cut on the left side of his head.

He said the complainant begun bleeding profusely, fell on the ground unconscious.

Sensing danger, the convict took to his heels with the items to an unknown destination.

The Prosecutor said on March 3, the complainant went to Kumasi on a business trip and spotted Obeng and raised the alarm.

With the assistance of some Good Samaritans he was arrested and handed over to the Suntreso police; and escorted to Dadieso Police Station.

He said after thorough investigation Obeng was charged with the offense of stealing, unlawful entry and causing unlawful harm.