Unemployed jailed for stealing

Kumasi, Oct. 14, GNA - A 19-year-old unemployed, has been convicted to a seven-year-jail-term, by a Kumasi Circuit Court, for stealing and attempting to cash a cheque of GH¢1,312, belonging to the proprietor of the World Link Academy, a preparatory school in Kumasi.

Sylvanus Anuyang, pleaded guilty to both counts and was convicted on his own plea. The sentence is to run concurrently.

Police Inspector Martin Assenso told the Court presided over by Mr Justice William Boampong, that the complainant, Mr Akwasi Ackom and Anuyang, are both residents of Atasemanso, a suburb of Kumasi. On September 29, this year, the complainant intended to issue a cheque to make some payment but later stopped and kept the cheque book in his office drawer.

Inspector Assenso said on the same day, Anuyang, who used to visit a watchman in the school, sneaked into the complainant's office and stole four leaflets of the book, which belonged to the Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank.

The next day at about 11:00 hours, the convict forged the signature of the Complainant on one of the cheque leaflets, numbered 000373 with the face value of GH¢900, and succeeded in withdrawing the amount from the Adiebeba branch of the bank. The management of the bank later called the complainant to inform him of the withdrawal but he denied sending anybody to the bank. Inspector Asenso said on October 11, Anuyang again presented two of the leaflets with numbers 000045 and 000046 with an amount 1,000 and 312, respectively to be cashed at the bank.

However, the management of the bank, who have been alerted by the complainant, arrested and sent him to the Regional CID for investigation.

During a search, the police retrieved the last cheque book leaflet numbered 00047 from his room.

Anuyang admitted the offence and said he had used the money to buy a mobile phone and a sound system, which were retrieved by the police. After further investigation, he was charged and arraigned.