Court frees small scale miner for stealing

A Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday acquitted and discharged Seth Arhin, a 20 year-old small scale miner, for stealing 59 conveyor rollers valued at GH¢ 4,244.22 belonging to the Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), Tarkwa Mine.

Although the accused pleaded guilty to stealing, the judge, Mr. Justice Obeng Asante, said he freed him because he was a first offender.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that, the complainants are security officers of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine.

He said at about 0735 hours on December 21, last year, the complainants were on their normal patrol duty and on reaching the "conveyor number 18 Cut Back" which is within GGL concession, they spotted Arhin and two others, who are now at large, stealing 59 conveyor rollers belonging to the company.

The Prosecutor said the accused and his accomplices took to their heels but the security officers managed to arrest Arhin while the two managed to escape.

Inspector Amponsah said Arhin was handed over to the police and was subsequently charged with the offense after investigation.