Robber weeps after conviction

Isaac Ahinkra, a 19 year-old unemployed, on Monday broke down in tears when an Accra circuit court handed down 20 years imprisonment on charges of conspiracy and robbery.

Ahinkra and his accomplice Kwame Ntim, 24, also unemployed, were sentenced to five years imprisonment each on a charge of conspiracy while they were to serve 20 years each on the charge of robbery.

The two convicts, whose sentences were to run concurrently, pleaded guilty on all the charges.

Soon after Ahinkra was sentenced he wept uncontrollably in court but intensified his weeping as he moved out of the court room saying he was young and that his mother recently passed away.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP) Reindolph Agyemang, told the court, presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, that the complainant was Mr Isaac Kodi Annang, a 53 year-old resident of Agbelezaa, near Teshie in Accra.

According to DSP Agyemang, the convicts also reside at Ayorkorwor, a suburb of Teshie in Accra.

On November 8, this year, at about 17:20 hours, the complainant was in his room watching television when two masked men armed with knife and a hammer entered his room and ordered him to surrender all his money.

Prosecution said Ntim, who held the hammer, stood at the gate. The complainant managed to struggle with Ntim as he screamed for assistance, sensing danger, the convicts took to their heels but neighbours chased them and Ahinkra was apprehended and handed over to the police.

DSP Agyemang said Ahinkra led the police to pick Ntim from his hideout at Ayorkorwor, Teshie.

Prosecution said in cautioned statements during investigations that the convicts admitted their offences.