The Bekwai Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region has sentenced a 20-year-old ex-convict, Akwasi Agyemang, to 25 years of imprisonment with hard labour for robbery.

Agyemang was convicted of robbing an 8-month pregnant teenager, whom he allegedly raped after stealing her belongings.

On August 25, 2024, Agyemang sneaked into the victim’s residence in Feyiase, threatened her with a knife, and robbed her of her possessions. After the robbery, he proceeded to rape the victim before fleeing the scene.

However, luck eluded him when the victim raised an alarm, attracting neighbours who managed to apprehend Agyemang.

The assembly member for the area assisted in his arrest, and he was subsequently brought before the Bekwai Circuit Court. Agyemang pleaded guilty to the robbery charges and was convicted accordingly.

Meanwhile, the charge of rape against him is still under review, as the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for further advice.

In a related case, the Bekwai Circuit Court also sentenced a 23-year-old tricycle rider and ex-convict, Kwabena Ofori, to nine years in prison for causing harm to a driver in Beposo, within the Bekwai Municipality.

According to police investigations, Ofori had repeatedly threatened to harm the victim, suspecting that the victim’s younger brother was involved in a relationship with his girlfriend.

Ofori eventually carried out the attack, severely injuring the victim before fleeing the scene. The victim reported the incident to the police, who launched an investigation.

After several unsuccessful attempts to locate Ofori, the police discovered that he was already serving a sentence at the Kumasi Central Prison for a separate offence and was scheduled for release on August 27, 2024.

Upon learning this, the police obtained a warrant and arrested Ofori on the day of his release. He was brought before the court, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. The court subsequently sentenced him to nine years of imprisonment with hard labour.