Court sentences prisoner for escaping from lawful custody

Sekondi, July 20, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Thursday sentenced George Ansah to 24 months' imprisonment in hard labour for escaping from lawful custody. The accused, who was serving a two-year sentence at the Ekuasi Camp Prison at Sekondi, pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Seth Ahelegbe said the accused was sentenced in 2005 for stealing at Elubo.

He said on February 14 this year, Prisons Superintendent John Allotey, the second in command at the Ekuasi Camp Prison, detailed the accused and another convict to fetch water at the Prison farm for bathing under the escort of a prison officer. Sergeant Ahelegbe said when the accused and the other prisoner reached the prison gate on their way back, the Prison Officer told them to wait for him to open the gate them.

He said while the officer was doing so, the accused threw away the water he was carrying, ran into a nearby bush and vanished. Sergeant Ahelegbe said the Prison Officer reported the incident to Superintendent Allotey and a search party was organised but the accused was not found.

He said later, the accused was arrested by Elubo Police and handed over to Superintendent Allotey.