Sekondi March.17,-GNA -A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Thursday sentenced Raymond Sey, a 23-year old carpenter to 48 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing, escaping from lawful custody and causing damage. The accused pleaded guilty to all charges. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andam Okyere said the accused and the complainant, Beatrice Quaicoo, a hairdresser both reside at Ketan near Sekondi. He said at about 2200 hours on March 8 this year, the complainant went to the room of a co-tenant to watch television and left the door to her room unlocked.

Inspector Okyere said the complainant returned to her bedroom, she discovered that her Motorola camera mobile phone was missing. He said she raised an alarm and two people from a nearby house said they saw the accused coming out of her bedroom. Inspector Okyere said the complainant made a report to the Police and the accused was arrested. He said during interrogation, the accused admitted the offence and told the Police he had given the phone to a friend in Takoradi. Inspector Okyere said the Police arrested the friend and handcuffed him but his gang attacked the Police and whisk him away. He said as the mob was chasing the Police with sticks and knives, the Policeman investigating the case could not board the waiting vehicle. Inspector Okyere said a team from the Mobile Police Force in Takoradi were detailed to look for the investigator while the accused was detained in cells in handcuff.

He said when the team returned to the Mobile Police Force, the accused had escaped through the ceiling of the cells with the handcuff. Inspector Okeene said on March 10 this year, the accused was seen at Ketan and the Police was informed. He said a team proceeded to the area and arrested the accused who had cut the chain join the handcuff and was charged with the offences after investigations.