Nsawam, March 30, GNA - A magistrate's court at Nsawam on Monday sentenced 10 notorious criminals for various terms of imprisonment for attacking market women and pedestrians along the railway-line near the River Densu. They had all pleaded guilty to snatching mobile phones, money, and other valuables from their victims after threatening them with knives and other offensive implements.

Morro Farouku 26, alias Simon and Eric Kofi alias Paapa 19, the leaders of the gang were jailed for four years each with hard labour. The others who received two-year jail terms each included Ibrahim Zibo alias Mark Weiwei 21, Osumanu Mohammed 23 and Kwabena Boateng, 26, alias Bordoor. The rest were Isaac Wiafe Koomson 20, Felix Tetteh 20, Isaac Bonney alias Eric Asare 19 and Yussif Bukari, alias Issokay 25 and Safiru Ibrahim, alias Ground shaker, 20.

Passing sentence, Mrs Ivy Haward-Mills the presiding magistrate advised them to learn some trade while serving their prison terms to become useful citizens on their discharge. Prosecuting detective Inspector Emmanuel Kwaku Akakpo told the court that the accused persons were unemployed and lived in a hiding places near the Densu River. The prosecuting said on the March 15 this year upon a tip off the Police Commander in charge of Nsawam District, Superintendent Otchere Boapea organised a special dawn operation around the Densu River during which they were arrested.