Trader jailed 15 years for robbery

An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday handed a 15-year jail term to one Sadat Musah, a trader, who attempted to commit robbery.

    

The convict was also jailed six months each for escaping from lawful custody and two counts of stealing. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

     

Musah pleaded not guilty to the charges but was found guilty after the trial by the court presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh.

     

The court also discharged the convict on charges of carrying offensive weapon and two counts of causing unlawful damage.

     

Earlier, before sentencing counsel for the convict prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, saying society has created conditions, which has pushed the convict into crime.

     

Mr George Asomaning said in the Zongo Community, where the convict stayed, there were limited opportunities for the convict to be gainfully employed.

   

“The wife of the convict has also abandoned him and left the baby in the care of the convict’s old mother,” he added.

     

He said: “My Lord, on this Valentine’s Day, please show us maximum love in the number of years, we will serve in prison.”

   

 In sentencing, the judge said societal challenges and economic difficulties do not provide ways for anyone to indulge in crime against the community.

     

Earlier the Prosecutor Chief Inspector E. Afful told the court that first complainant madam Awulatu Osman, trader, reside at Orisco, near Dansoman, Accra.

   

On December 25, 2015, prosecution said the complainant got up to pray at about 01:00 hours, soon after praying, she saw the convict, who  armed with a cutlass caused damage to the her trap door and entered her room.

     

He said Musah pulled out a cutlass and ordered complainant to surrender all her belongings and further threatened to kill her if she makes any noise.

     

Prosecution said Madam Awulatu mastered courage and pushed the convict hand and the cutlass fell, she then picked up the cutlass and raised an alarm, which attracted witnesses to the scene, who overpowered the convict.

     

When information reached the Dansoman Police Patrol team, they went to the scene and Musah was handed over to them.

     

Due to the severity of the injuries he had sustained, the Police took him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

     

Prosecution said whiles Musah was being escorted to the Dansoman Police Station, on reaching Banana Inn, Musah bolted from the vehicle which was carrying him.

     

However with the assistance of witnesses, Musah was arrested again the Police.

   

Chief Inspector Afful said Police investigation revealed that Musah had earlier broken the ventilation glass of one Mr Mensah’s vehicle and made away with two car window rollers and two side mirrors.

 

Source: GNA