An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old unemployed woman to two years’ imprisonment for unlawfully entering a church premises at the 48 Engineer Barracks at Teshie and stealing assorted items.

The convict, Amanda Pascal, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and stealing. The court, presided over by Mrs Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, convicted her on her own plea and sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment on each count, with the terms to run concurrently.

Chief Inspector Abigail Offeibea, prosecuting, told the court that the items stolen included a deep fryer valued at GH¢1,500, a Bluetooth speaker worth GH¢3,423, 21 trumpet mouthpieces valued at GH¢6,820, a perfume valued at GH¢586 and six tins of sardines valued at GH¢200. The items belonged to Veronica Owusu Boateng, the complainant.

The complainant, an emergency medical personnel at the 37 Military Hospital, resides at the Teshie Barracks, while the convict, a Nigerian national, lives at Teshie Lascala.

The prosecution said that on February 15, 2026, following a church service, the complainant was informed that 21 trumpet mouthpieces kept in her room for safekeeping were missing. Upon inspection, she discovered that other items had also been stolen.

A review of the church’s CCTV footage showed Amanda, who had been frequenting the barracks, entering the complainant’s room during the service and later leaving with bags containing the items. The matter was subsequently reported to the police.

Amanda was spotted in the neighbourhood on February 17, arrested and taken to the police station together with the retrieved items. In her caution statement, she admitted the offence and said she had used some of the remaining items and discarded the trumpet mouthpieces. Only the deep fryer and the Bluetooth speaker were retrieved.

Proceedings took a dramatic turn when the trial judge enquired whether the convict had any previous convictions.

Although the case investigator indicated that she had been jailed by the LEKMA District Court, Amanda told the court she had previously been convicted and sentenced by the same Circuit Court to nine months’ imprisonment.

In sentencing, the judge cautioned her to take advantage of rehabilitation programmes within the Ghana Prisons Service and turn her life around, particularly as she had young children.

Before sentencing, Amanda pleaded with the court for time, stating that she was preparing for an outdooring ceremony in March.