Man steals to defray debts; gets 18 months

Breman Asikuma (C/R), Dec. 22, GNA 96 The Breman Asikuma Magistrate's Court on Friday sentenced a 23-year-old electrician, Yaw Sam to 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing three million cedis to defray his indebtedness. Sam pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and stealing when he appeared before the Presiding Magistrate, Mr Akwasi Asmah Asiedu, who convicted him his on plea and sentenced him.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Gershon K. Awuyeh told the Court that at about 1500 hours on December 5 2006 Sam broke into the room of one Mr Evans Gyamfi, a cocoa receiver at Breman Nwomaso, and stole the money. The Chief Inspector said an informant reported the incident to Mr Gyamfi, who also informed the Police. Chief Inspector Awuyeh said when Sam was arrested he admitted the offence, and said he used part of the money to settle his debts and was left with 1,220,000 cedis, which he gave to the Police.