Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 17 March 2005

Source: GNA

Barber jailed 12 months for stealing and unlawful entry

Sekondi, March 17, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Wednesday sentenced Evans Nyame, a 19-year old barber to 12 months' imprisonment in hard labour for stealing and unlawful entry. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Andam Okyere, said sometime in September 2004, Nyame stole 740,000 cedis from a communication centre, opposite his barbering shop at Adum Banso, near Takoradi. He said when the case was reported to the Police, Nyame's father intervened and pleaded to refund the money.

Sergeant Okyere said while his father barely finished paying the money back, Nyame went into the centre again and stole a further 325,000 cedis on March 11 at about 0800 hours.

The court heard that the manager of the centre, who was returning to his post after going out briefly, caught Nyame "red-handed" stealing the money which was kept in a file.