Judge Samuel Bright Acquah, presiding over the Circuit Court in Accra, has sentenced a 37-year-old Vulcanizer, Alfred Boateng, to a total of 25 years in prison. The convict pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry and robbery, but he received a 10-year sentence for the former and 15 years for the latter, after the full trial.
The court issued its judgment yesterday and ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Prosecutor Chief Inspector Ramatha Asuma, prosecuting the case, said the complainant, Hannah Owusu, is a mobile money vendor, while the accused, Alfred Boateng, is a Vulcanizer. Both reside at Chorkor, a coastal suburb of Accra.
The complainant operates a mobile money shop at Mamprobi Bamboi.
On September 30, 2024 around 10:00 am, while she was in her shop, the accused approached her and requested her mobile money number to receive funds from someone.
The complainant refused and suggested that the sender should cash out through her phone, allowing her to withdraw the money for him.
The convict refused the suggestion and while the complainant was in the inner room of the shop, Alfred Boateng, armed with a knife, rushed on her and threatened to stab her.
He then attempted to strangle her and in the middle of the struggle, the convict managed to take GH¢20,725.00 from under the counter and ran away with it.
The complainant then courageously chased him, whilst shouting “thief, thief.”
This prompted others to join in the pursuit to apprehend the accused. As he fled, he threw away some of the stolen money to distract those running after him, but some ignored it and continued to pursue him. Ultimately he was arrested and GH¢13,800 was recovered from him.
The mob then attacked the convict and beat him mercilessly. The convict was taken to Mamprobi hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
CCTV footage from the shop captured the convict during the incident. He later admitted to the offense in his caution statement to the police. Following the investigation, he was charged with the offenses.
