Crime & Punishment of Friday, 10 March 2006

Source: GNA

'Station master' granted 15 million cedis bail for assault

Kumasi, March 10, GNA - A Kumasi Circuit court has granted Osman Oluman Adams alias 'Mambola', a 'station master' at the Bolgatanga lorry park in Kumasi 15 million cedis bail for allegedly destroying properties at a drinking spot and causing harm.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on March 14. Police Chief Inspector Michael Tsedey told the court that Mr Kofi Amponsah, the complainant owns a drinking bar at New Tafo and operated by his wife.

He said in the morning of July 10, last year, the accused and his friend went to the bar to drink.

The prosecution said Adams ordered a bottle of Guinness Stout and asked the operator, Miss Gloria Danso, to collect the money from her husband the complainant.

Police Chief Inspector Tsedey said the complainant asked his wife to collect the money from the accused who became infuriated and prevented other customers at the bar from buying drinks as well as others from entering the bar.

The prosecution said a customer who entered to buy some drinks was assaulted by the accused and in the process destroyed some drinking glasses.

Police Chief Inspector Tsedey said after the incident, Adam's friend took him away from the bar but the accused returned and ordered all the customers to leave and threatened to kill the complainant and his wife.

The prosecution said after the threat, the accused destroyed other items including a television set, empty bottles and plastic chairs valued at about 1.2 million cedis.

He said a report was made to the New Tafo police but Adams fled from the bar before the police reached there and went into hiding. The prosecution said on October 7, 2005 the New Tafo police had information that the accused had been arrested and detained at the Asawase police station for another offence.

He said personnel from the New Tafo police station went to the Asawase police station where they took his statement and after investigations charged with the offence.