A circuit court at Akim Swedru in the Eastern Region has sentenced a farmer to four years imprisonment for possessing a gun and cartridges and also threatening to kill a trader.

The farmer, Yaw Ansah, a resident of Aperade near Akim Achiase in the Birim South District, pleaded guilty to two counts of “threat of death” and “possessing firearms without authority” when he appeared before the trial judge, Mr Yaw Atta Sampong.

Upon his own plea, Ansah was sentenced to two years imprisonment on the first count and another two years imprisonment on count two. The sentences will run consecutively.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecution said Madam Comfort Asare, a trader, and Ansah live in the same town and that on May 8, this year, at about 17:30 hours, Nana Kwadwo Sarkodie, a resident in the town, informed Madam Asare that Ansah had plans to kill her.

According to Nana Sarkodie, Ansah planned to kill Madam Asare and place a letter beside her corpse, which would identify the convict as the killer and then he would commit suicide.

The prosecution said Nana Sarkodie advised Madam Asare to lodge a complaint with the police.

A report was made to the police and Ansah was arrested.

A search in his room revealed a single barrel gun and 21 cartridges among his personal belongings.