The Mpraeso Circuit Court on Friday sentenced a 32-year-old-driver to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for causing damage and stealing personal effects worth thousands of Ghana cedis.
Emmanuel Asante, the driver, pleaded guilty to all the three counts of conspiracy to steal, stealing and causing harm.
Detective Police Inspector Christian Apronti, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, a High Court Judge, sitting as an additional Circuit Court Judge, that on September 15 this year, the complainant, a retired accountant went to visit his neighbourhood friend at Nkwatia.
He said while in his friend's house, he heard an unusual noise outside the house so he quickly came out to enquire and he was told that the convict was seen carrying some items suspected to be stolen.
The prosecutor said the complainant quickly rushed to his house and realized that his door had been forced open and some louver blades broken.
He said the complainant realised that his personal effects, including a television set, a DVD player, tape recorder with speakers, a photo album and some stationery were stolen.
He said the complainant inspected the stolen items seized from Asante and realized that they all belonged to him and therefore reported to the police and the convict was arrested and charged with the offence after interrogations.
Detective Inspector Apronti said when a further search was conducted on the convict, a serviceable Nokia phone, some jewelleries and a screw driver were found on him.
Asante however said he went to the area to smoke and did not know what prompted him to steal the items and therefore pleaded for leniency.