Accra Oct. 21, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday sentenced a 35 year-old car thief to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a Nissan Patrol vehicle valued at 200 million cedis. Francis Ababio alias Djithianda pleaded guilty and was convicted accordingly by the Court chaired by Mr Willy Wise Kyeremeh. The Madina District Magistrate's Court had previously jailed Ababio for a similar offence but he was released recently under Presidential Pardon.

Sentencing him, the Judge said: "I take a serious exception to the conduct of the convict who had made nonsense of the Presidential Pardon extended to him. Your conduct indicates that you are a hardened criminal.

"Accused is a dangerous element to the society and as such a deterrent sentence should be given to him," the Judge declared.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Paul K. Frimpong told the court that Ababio stole a Nissan patrol car belonging to the Ghana Health Service Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress.

ASP Frimpong said on October 17 the driver of the vehicle parked the car in front of his house at Madina and went to sleep.

The following day, at about 0430 hours, the driver woke up only to find the car stolen. A report was made to the Police who in turn, sent wireless messages to all Police stations in the country and made announcements in the media.

A Police Highway Patrol team intercepted the vehicle at Gomoa Potsin Junction and the accused was arrested. The Prosecution said Ababio in his caution statement admitted stealing the car.