Mason sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment for stealing car

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - A 24-year-old mason who stole an Opel Kadet taxicab valued at 25 million cedis and used it to snatch a lady's bag at the New Generation Hospital, South Odorkor, was on Tuesday sentenced by an Accra Circuit Court to 24 years' imprisonment with hard labour. Frank Gamo, alias Narrow, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit crime and stealing, was convicted on his own plea and sentenced accordingly.

An accomplice, Isaac Kwasi, alias Azii, 34, a driver, pleaded not guilty to the same charges. He would reappear on October 18. Chief Inspector Ben Danfour told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ankamah that at about 0230 hours on September 17, the two men went to Abeka in Accra and stole the Opel Kadet taxi and faked the registration number.

He said they sped off and snatched a lady's handbag from a woman who was standing by the road. Chief Inspector Danfour said a witness in the case, who was driving in his private car behind them spotted them and gave them a chase.

The Prosecutor said when Gamo and Kwasi realised that they were being chased, Kwasi who was driving the car, increased the speed. The vehicle suddenly veered off the road but the two men managed to get out of the car and tried to escape. He said at this juncture the witness raised the alarm and Gamo and Kwasi were arrested and sent to the Police Station.