A 24-year-old miner, who attempted to rob a mining firm, has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in hard labour by a Tarkwa Circuit court.

The convict, Kingsley Adjei, charged with conspiracy to commit crime and attempted robbery, was sentenced on his own plea.

Meanwhile, Kwame Ayemang, an accomplice, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded into prison custody to re-appear before the court on August 3.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court that the complainant, Isaac Wadie, is a small-scale miner, who resides at Abreshia, while the convict and the accused live at Wasa Powuako.

He said on June 30, at about 1730 hours, the complainant and his workers were working at a mining firm when one Stephen Berchie informed them that a cab was approaching the place.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant and his workers became alarmed and waited anxiously for the occupants in the taxi.

He said few minutes later Adjei, Abdulai Alale alias “Anointing” and Agyemang arrived at the site, attacked them and attempted to steal their gold ore. Therefore, a struggle ensued between them and the workers raised the alarm and the robbers escaped.

However, Agyemang, who drove the robbers to the site, was arrested by the town folks and handed over to the Police.

Upon interrogation, Agyemang mentioned his accomplices and Adjei was subsequently arrested. Meanwhile, the Police had mounted a search for the rest of the accomplices.