Ex-convict jailed 40yrs for robbery

A Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday sentenced Bismark Owusu, a 24 year-old galamsey operator (illegal miner) to 40 years imprisonment in hard labour for robbing a taxi driver.

He robbed his victim of GH?120.00, a Techno mobile phone and car head tape valued GH?400.00

The convict was discharged from the Tarkwa local prison last year.

About two weeks ago, the convict attempted to rob another person and was arraigned but was discharged by Tarkwa District Court, because the complainant failed to show up.

Passing sentence, the judge, Mr Justice Obeng Asante, said the convict must be isolated from the public for a long period.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the complainant, Kwadwo Sampong, is a taxi driver and the convict resides at Akoon a suburb of Tarkwa.

He said at about 20:40 hours on January 24, this year, Sampong was driving a taxi with registration number BA 1838-13 when he was hired by Owusu from Bogoso junction to Aboso.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said on reaching a section of the road near Aboso , the convict pulled out a kitchen knife and ordered him to stop and surrender the money he had on him else he will kill him.

He said the complainant refused to do so and the convict struggled with him and in the process, inflicted a deep cut on the right palm of Owusu, and freed himself and escaped leaving the vehicle behind.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said Owusu then robbed the complainant of the money and other items.

He said the complainant rushed to the Aboso- Tarkwa lorry station to board a vehicle back to Tarkwa to enable him report the incident to the police.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said while the complainant was at the back seat of a taxi waiting for passengers, Owusu also boarded the same vehicle.

He said the complainant kept quiet and when the taxi took off and they got to a police check point at Bogoso junction, he identified the convict to the police officer on duty and he was arrested with the complainant’s belongings.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said Owusu was handed over to the police and after investigation he was charged with the offence.