Welder jailed 2 years for stealing

Emmanuel Hammond, a welder has been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in hard labour by a Tarkwa circuit court for stealing a grinding machine valued at GH¢1,650.

He pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Florence Tawiah told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that, the complainant Iddrisu Seidus, is an illegal miner (galamsey operator) residing at Brenakyem, a suburb of Tarkwa, whilst the convict lived at Jerusalem in the same vicinity.

She said on January 28, at about 1630 hours, the complainant decided to buy the machine to enable him engage in galamsey activities.

According to the Prosecutor, the complainant together with another person informed a friend, who also introduced the convict to them as an expert who can assist him buy the machine and install it for them.

Inspector Tawiah said they then went to a Chinese company located at Tarkwa Low Cost and bought the machine for GH¢1,650.

The Prosecutor said after the purchase, Hammond advised them to leave the machine under his care and come for it the following day as it was late.

She said the convict then requested that he visits the complainant’s galamsey site at Ahwetieso to enable him to inspect the land and plan on how best to install the machine the next day.

Inspector Tawiah said while at the galamsey site, the convict had a call and claimed it was his brother and that he is supposed to meet him in Tarkwa immediately, compelling the complainant to give him GH¢5 for transportation.

She said an hour later, Hammond called the complainant and told him that the brother wants him to stay at Tarkwa for a few days and that he needed the receipt covering the machine to enable him to convince the brother to allow him to return the same day.

The Prosecutor said the complainant then directed the convict to meet him at the Tarkwa Railway station mosque and he handed over the receipt to him.

Inspector Tawiah said immediately the criminal got hold of the receipt, he entered the mosque under the pretense of going to pray and absconded.

She said the complainant sensing danger rushed to the company where the machine was purchased and on his arrival, he saw Hammond in the process of collecting the GH¢1,650 from the shop owner after returning the receipt, with the explanation that he was no more interested in the machine.

According to the Prosecutor, on seeing the complainant, Hammond quickly run outside and jumped over a wall and escaped.

She said a report was made to the police and the complainant together with another person arrested Hammond on May 12 at about 1400 hours near the Tarkwa Railway station and handed him over to the police.

Inspector Tawiah said Hammond admitted committing the offense in his caution statement and said he used the money to settle the medical bills of the wife.

The judge in his ruling however ordered the convict to refund the money to the complainant after serving the jail term.**