Asante Akropong: A 22-year-old welder has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in hard labour by the Asante Akropong circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District for a robbery committed at Asaase Bokankye, near Akropong. Williams Amoateng pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on his own plea by the court, presided over by Mrs. Gloria Mensah Bonsu.
According to Ghana News Agency, Police Chief Inspector Evans Baaba Ayimbisah, who prosecuted the case, informed the court that the complainant, Blessing Owusu, a tricycle rider residing in Atwima Agogo, was the victim of the robbery. Amoateng, along with his accomplice Jolley, who remains at large, resided in Asaase Bokankye.
The incident occurred on February 25, at around 8:00 pm when Owusu was conducting his usual riding business in Abuakwa and the surrounding areas. Amoateng and his accomplice engaged Owusu's services to Asaase Bokankye. During the journey, Amoateng ordered Owusu to stop, and upon compliance, both Amoateng and Jolley exited the tricycle. They threatened Owusu with a stick and a stone, demanding he surrender his vehicle, valued at GHS46,000, along with his day's earnings of GHS750.
The duo made away with the vehicle and cash. Two days later, on February 27, Owusu identified Amoateng at Asaase Bokankye and raised an alarm. Amoateng was apprehended by local residents and handed over to the Pokukrom Police.
In his caution statement, Amoateng confessed to the crime and disclosed that he sold the tricycle to someone at Kumasi-Alabar. However, he failed to locate the buyer when escorted by the police to the area. Following further investigations, Amoateng was charged and brought before the court.
