Two friends, who stole gold bearing stones valued GH¢15,000 from a grinding machine shop at Kaniankor Top, a suburb of Nsuaem, in the Western Region, have been sentenced to a total of 16 months imprisonment in hard labour by the Tarkwa District Court One.
Ibrahim Asante and his accomplice, Kwame Ntiamoah, both galamsey operators, would each serve eight months imprisonment.
They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit crime and stealing. Inspector of Police Patrick Essien, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Owusu Nsiah, that the complainant, Francis Ankomah, owns a grinding machine shop at Kaniankor Top, and resided in the same community with the convicts.
The prosecution said Asante worked for the complainant at his grinding machine shop for a fee for a couple of months.
Insp Essien stated that the complainant gave Asante GH¢320.00 for his upkeep and left for his hometown in Adansi Akrofuom to celebrate the New Year.
The prosecution again revealed that Asante and Ntiamoah entered the complainant’s shop and stole his gold bearing stones.
According to the prosecution, when complainant received information about the theft, he returned to Kaniankor Top, arrested Ntiamoah and handed him over to the Nsuaem police.
Insp Essien further said Ntiamoah indicated that Asante invited him to the complainant’s shop to commit the offence.
Prosecution said when Asante was arrested, he noted that they had GH¢460.00 each as their booty, paid GH¢200 for processing of the gold bearing stone and GH¢200 to two persons, who also assisted them in the processing.
Insp Essien said Ntiamoah told the police that he received only GH¢150.00 from his counterpart as his share. —GNA
