A Fast Track High Court on Wednesday sentenced a filling station manager to 11 years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing monies totaling GH?29, 886. 43 belonging to Fraga Oil Company Limited.

Gabriel Appiah‘s conviction came after the court, presided over by Mr Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh, had found him guilty at the end of the trial.

In his plea for mitigation, Mr Seth Wiafe Amankwah, counsel for Appiah, prayed the court against custodial sentence adding that the court should deal leniently with his client.

Handing down the sentence, the trial judge said Appiah deserved an exemplary punishment as his action did not allow businesses to grow.

According to the court it was reprehensible that Fraga Oil established a station and engaged Appiah to manage so he could earn some money.

Instead of complying, the court said, he rather decided to misapply the proceeds.

It said in an era where there was massive unemployment, people like the accused person made it impossible for businesses to expand.

The Prosecutor's case was that the complainant was Mr Emmanuel Sonu Mawuli, a Sales Supervisor of Fraga Oil Company Limited. Appiah, who worked with the company, was stationed at Denu in the Volta Region.

On March 29, 2013, prosecution said Fraga Oil Company Limited audited the accounts of Appiah at Denu and detected that on March 29, and in April 2013, Appiah dishonestly misappropriated GH? 29,886.42 belonging to the company.

The amount, according to the prosecutor, was in respect of petroleum products supplied to Denu Filling Station.

Appiah, in his caution statement, admitted the offence.