Two jailed 10 years for threat of theft

Two persons were on Monday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each for conspiracy to commit crime and threat of theft by an Accra Circuit Court.

The two, Nii Ayitey Sheriff, a carpenter and Ayuba Sarkodie, a stone cracker were charged for conspiracy and threat of theft after going through full trial.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges, but were found guilty and sentenced to serve 10 years each in prison by the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri.

Prosecuting, Chief Superintendent Duuti Tuaruka told the court that the complainant, Graham Koomson is a footballer, whiles Nii Ayitey and Ayuba are believed to be land guards, both residing at Gbawe.

He said the convicts have been harassing residents of Gbawe and Gomtse persistently. He said on December 28, 2012, at about 0700 hours, the complainant, who had in his possession a Toshiba laptop was in the company of his friend, one Koemah Samuel Kweku, a witness in the case.

The prosecution said suddenly the convicts and one other now at large, emerged from the bush wielding cutlasses, chisel and hacksaw blade, and ordered the complainant and his friend to surrender all monies on them or else they would be killed.

He told the court that, the complainant and his friend had only GH¢ 5 on them and pleaded with the convicts to take amount, but they refused and Nii Ayitey snatched the complainant’s laptop from him and disappeared.

Chief Superintendent Tuaruka said the complainant then rushed to the Gomtse Palace and met the chief, who listening to their story, organised the youth of the town to arrest the convicts, and later handed them over to the police.

He said they both admitted the offence in their cautioned statement and later the laptop was later retrieved.