Court grants watchman bail for stealing

Sekondi, Nov. 29, GNA - Samuel Mensah, a watchman at Botogyina Quarry, on Tuesday appeared before a Sekondi District Magistrate's Court for allegedly stealing, possessing firearms without licence and threatening death.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of 20 million cedis with one surety to re-appear on December 18, 2006.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Adu Kyeremeh said Samuel Adjei, the complainant who is a farmer detected that thieves had been stealing cassava from his farm at Botogyina.

He said at about 0600 hours on October 13, this year, the complainant went to his farm accompanied by Andrews Eshun, a friend. Sgt Kyeremeh said the complainant and his friend saw the accused busily uprooting cassava in the middle of the farm and raised an alarm. The accused took to his heels and left behind his sandals, hunting light and a sack.

Sgt Kyeremeh said the complainant and his friend chased the accused, but he threatened them and fired shots into the air. The complainant and his friend aborted the chase after realising that their lives were in danger and made a report to the Police. The accused was later arrested after a search and the locally made gun retrieved. Sgt Kyeremeh said the gun was not licensed. 29 Nov 06