A 21-year old washing bay attendant at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region has told the Juaben Circuit Court alcohol influenced him to rob a student at knife-point.

Kwaku Gyasi, also known as Nana Boro, pleaded for leniency from Presiding Judge, Benjamin Yaw Osei.

He had pleaded guilty to robbery charges, upon which the court sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour, ignoring his plea for mercy.

Prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Owusu, told the court on September 13, Gyasi pulled a knife on the complainant, a student of Church of Christ Senior High School at Adadientem in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality.

The student was returning from church in the company of his younger brother when Gyasi emerged from the bush, near River Bafoh, and demanded he (student) hand over his laptop to him or he would kill him.

When the student fled the scene with the lap-top, Gyasi held the younger brother hostage and threatened to kill him, if the elder failed to return and surrender the gadget.

Inspector Owusu said the accused became offended and attempted to stab the complainant when Gyasi was identified by his name.

A confrontation ensued between the two – Gyasi and the student (complainant) – during which the student managed to disarm Gyasi.

The student shouted for help, attracting neighbours to the scene. Gyasi was arrested and handed over to the police.