Trader remanded for assaulting neighbour’s son

A fifty-one year-old trader, Frederick Odoom, was on Monday remanded into prison custody by a Cape Coast circuit court for allegedly causing harm to his neighbour’s son, Akwesi Kodua, at Mankesim in the Central Region.

Odoom, a resident of Mendskrom, pleaded not guilty to assault and will be re-arraigned in court on August 4. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Peter Paul Amoah told the court, presided over by Mr Kofi Seshie Ametewee, that at about 11:00 hours on Friday, June 6, while Odoom was at the market square selling his wares, a co-tenant called to inform him that Akwesi had entered his porch and had made away with his radio set.

Chief Inspector Amoah said Odoom rushed home, took a sharp cutlass and concealed it in his shirt and went to Akwesi’s house to demand his radio set but he met Akwesi’s mother and told her to either get the radio set for him or pay GH¢30.00, the cost of the set.

Chief Inspector Amoah said Akwesi emerged from his room, and immediately Odoom saw him, he brought out the cutlass and threatened to slay him if he did not hand the radio set to him but Akwesi’s mother pleaded with Odoom to exercise restraint.

A neighbour, who was eavesdropping, called Lance Corporal Ernest Owusu, stationed at Mankesim, to come to the scene and intervene since the argument was getting heated.

Chief Inspector Amoah said Akwesi, upon seeing the police officer, fled into a nearby bush with Odoom behind him only for Akwesi to return later with injuries on his head and arm with blood oozing.

He was quickly rushed to the Saltpond Municipal Hospital for treatment. Odoom was arrested and, after interrogations, admitted the crime and was subsequently charged with the offence.