Suspected robber jailed for escaping from custody

Accra, April 26, GNA - A suspected armed robber, who assaulted a Police Officer and escaped from the Nima Police Station, was on Monday sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour by a Circuit Court in Accra.

Peter Bauredam Appah alias John Rivers pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody and assaulting Public Officer. The court chaired by Mr Kwadwo Owusu convicted him on his own plea. Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Tawiah Boison, prosecuting said the complainant was Police Sergeant K. J. K. Amega, of the Nima Police Station in Accra.

He said on May 18, 2003, Sergeant Amega was on duty with Corporal Margaret Amponsah, Station Orderly at the Station's Charge Office from 1400 hours to 2200 hours.

The Prosecutor said at about 2000 hours, Sergeant Amega opened the cells gate to serve the inmates with their food in silver bowls. He said the Convict, who was a remand prisoner in two robbery cases and a cell leader, collected the food with the intent that the inmates might injure themselves with the bowls.

The Prosecutor said the Convict in the process of handing the bowls over to Sergeant Amega, pushed the cell's iron gate against Sergeant Amega and he fell down helpless.

He said the Convict then run and skipped over the counter and bolted. Sergeant Amega and Corporal Amponsah shouted for help but nobody came to their aid.

Chief Inspector Boison said in March, this year, the Police had information that the convict who was being sought for had been involved in another robbery at Tono, near Navrongo in the Upper East Region. He said the Convict was escorted to Accra and during Police investigations he admitted the offence and stated that he committed the offence alone.