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Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Source: GNA

Tears of 11year old girl saves father from imprisonment

Ho, Aug. 28, GNA-An eleven-year old girl (name withheld) wept uncontrollably at a Ho Circuit Court on Tuesday pleading the court to free his father who was brought before it for stealing. Many among the audience, including prosecuting police officers and others with cases at the court, visibly touched, openly displayed sympathy for the girl by wiping away tears.

Tchimou Janvier Djoman, 32, a Music Teacher in Togo pleaded guilty to stealing a Video Compact Disc (VCD) with its remote control valued at GHC 30 belonging to Pleasant Dreams Hotel at Kpetoe. The accused himself, pleading for mitigation said he could not fathom what would become of his daughter, who police sources said stayed at the counter-back and was fed by the police while his father was locked up in cell.

Mr. Emmanuel Siammeh, Presiding Judge put Djoman on a 12-month bond to be of good behaviour, in default of which, the accused would serve six months in prison.

He observed that the charge of stealing was somewhat mitigated by the retrieval of the stolen items.

Police Inpsector Sampson Kwame Agboado, prosecuting, told the Court that Djoman checked into the hotel with his daughter on August 16, this year for seven days at a total cost of GHc70. He said on the fifth day, Djoman who had paid only GHc20 part payment sneaked out with his daughter and never returned. Inspector Agboado said it was later detected that Djoman left with a VCD MP3 player belonging to the hotel. He said all attempts to trace Djoman were unsuccessful until he was spotted at Akatsi on August 23, this year where he was arrested and handed over to Kpetoe Police. Inspector Agboado said Djoman admitted the offence when questioned and was charged accordingly.