Caretaker Sentenced to 10 Years for Manslaughter Over Electrocution Incident.

Accra: Richmond Laweh, a caretaker from Ampomah near Ashiyie, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a High Court in Accra after being found guilty of manslaughter. Laweh's illegal electrical connections led to the electrocution and death of a 14-year-old boy.According to Ghana News Agency, Laweh had illegally connected electricity to an uncompleted building and extended a copper wire from his home to a makeshift gate on a commonly used pathway across two plots of land where he was squatting. The victim, Samuel Darko, was electrocuted when he attempted to open the gate on June 20, 2019. Despite pleading not guilty and claiming that he had contracted a professional electrician for the illegal connection, a seven-member jury unanimously found Laweh guilty.Prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkrah, presented four witnesses to support their case. The court, presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, considered Laweh's status as a first-time offender and his cooperation during the tr ial but noted the reckless nature of his actions. The court criticized the lack of investigation into the illegal connection, suggesting that Laweh could have faced additional charges.During the trial, Laweh's defense counsel requested leniency, stating that her client had no intention of causing harm. However, the prosecution emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence to prevent similar incidents. The father of the deceased expressed that justice had been served and urged the public to avoid actions that could endanger lives.The court heard that Laweh had blocked a footpath with a wire mesh gate and electrified it without warning signs. The tragic incident occurred when the deceased, on an errand with a friend, touched the electrified gate and was electrocuted. He was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, with an autopsy confirming electrocution as the cause of death.