Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Source: GNA

Unemployed jailed 48 months for stealing cement

An unemployed charged with unlawful entry and stealing, has “accepted responsibility for stealing eight bags of cement” valued at GH¢272.00 and has been sentenced to 48 months imprisonment in hard labour.

The 27-year-old Kofi Owusu entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced accordingly, by the Akim Swedru Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Brew.

In a related development, the court on December 29, 2014, admitted Owusu to bail for allegedly stealing seven bags of cement belonging to another complainant, an estate developer, he will appear again for hearing and determination of the case. The date has not been fixed yet.

Inspector Richard B. Sabbah, prosecuting, said on September 30, last year, Mr Anobaah Ansah, a banker at Akim Achiase, but lives at Akim Oda, packed 11 bags of cement in his uncompleted building.

The prosecutor said in the midnight of October 3, 2014 Owusu stole eight bags of the cement, valued at GH¢272.00 and hid them nearby.

He said at about 05:30 hours, the unemployed hired a taxi to convey the stolen items to Akim Swedru, but the police at a check-point apprehended him and sensing danger, he bolted leaving behind the driver and the bags of cement.

Inspector Sabbah said the driver led the police to the scene of the theft and Owusu was later arrested, adding that, during interrogation, Owusu admitted the offence.