Two jailed 40 years for robbery

An Accra Circuit Court on Monday handed a 40-year jail sentence to Robert Adzika, scrub dealer, and Peter Asare, motor repairer, for robbery.

The two were said to have robbed one Mavis Addo of her handbag valued GH¢30, one purse valued GH¢5, three baby dresses valued GH¢10.00, a pair of sandals valued GH¢10, one comb valued GH¢1, one Bible and an amount of GH¢60.

Robert and Peter, pleaded guilty to the charges, and were convicted by the court on their own plea, to serve a term of 15 years each for conspiracy, and 20 years each for robbery, both sentences to run concurrently.

The presiding judge, Mr Francis Obiri, said robbery has been on the increase, and as such, people of their calibre, do not deserve to be part of the community, but must be kept away from the reach of society.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Afful, told the court that the complainant is a stationery dealer who owns a shop at Teshie Manna Mission junction while both convicts reside at Ashiaman.

Chief Inspector Afful said, on February 6, at about 0945 hours, the complainant was in her shop holding her bag containing one purse, three baby dresses, a pair of sandals, one comb, one bible and an amount of GH¢60.

He said the two who were on a motorbike suddenly parked in front of the complainant's shop, and then Robert walked towards the shop while Peter waited on the motorbike.

The prosecution said Robert entered the shop as if he was buying something, but violently snatched the complainant’s bag together with its contents.

He told the court that Robert immediately joined Peter on the motorbike, and they attempted to escape, but luck eluded them when a moving vehicle crossed them and they fell off the bike.

Chief Inspector Afful said the complainant then raised an alarm, and they were arrested by passers-by.

The Police were alerted of the incident, and they rushed to the scene and escorted them to the police station.