Chainsaw operator jailed five years over theft

The Juaso Circuit Court has sentenced Stephen Addo, a chainsaw operator, to five years imprisonment over the theft of a quantity of lumber bought from him by a customer.

Addo, 48, went behind the customer to re-sell the lumber, for which he had already received payment, to another person.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence, but the court, presided over by Mr Fredrick Tetteh, concluded otherwise.

Police Inspector Obimpe Manasseh said the complainant, a trader at Agogo, had negotiated and paid Addo GH¢1,175.00 cash for the wood.

The wood had been packed at the roadside waiting to be conveyed to support the roofing of a building.

Days later, the trader hired a truck to convey the wood but shockingly discovered that they had been stolen.

The prosecution said suspecting the convict of the crime, she made a formal report to the police and Addo was arrested.

He admitted the offence during police interrogation but refused to name the buyer.