Court fines student for stealing

An Accra Circuit Court on Monday sentenced one Ayivor Liberty to a fine of 80 penalty units (GH? 960.00) for causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing GH? 14, 986.00 belonging to the Maxmart shop.

Ayivor pleaded guilty to the charge on his first appearance at the last adjourned date but his sentence was deferred to Monday for him to refund the money or be sentenced.

He has refunded the said amount, but the Court sentenced him to a fine or in default would serve three years in prison.

The Court in sentencing his said it took into consideration his plea for mercy and the amount of time spent in custody since his arrest in May.

The facts of the case as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A.A Yirenkyi are that the complainant is the Administrator of Maxmart shop at East Legon, while Ayivor is a student living at Okponglo.

He said on May 11, at about 0945 hours, the complainant came to the police station to report that someone had broken into the shop and stolen the amount of money and was captured by the CCTV camera in the shop.

The prosecution said on the same day at dawn the Accra Central Police snap check point had the convict arrested with the exhibit, one grinding machine and two cheques with the face value of GH? 7,256,859.00.

ASP Yirenkyi told the Court that Ayivor led the police to the crime scene and then pointed where he took the money.

The CCTV camera was viewed in his presence and it was observed that the convict went into the shop at 0200 hours to steal the money.

He said Ayivor admitted the offence in his caution statement.