A 27 year–old driver, Atsu Kwame Augustia, who was accused of dishonestly stealing from Elizabeth Nyamavo, has been sentenced to six months in Prison by the Ashaiman District Court.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Eleanor Kakra Banes Botchway, sentenced the accused to prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges, contrary to section 124(1) of the criminal offences Acts 1960, (ACT 29).

The facts of the case indicated that on July 8th, 2021, at Community 22 in Ashiaman, the convict dishonestly appropriated a Samsung Galaxy J4 plus phone valued at GH¢800.00, a bag containing school uniforms valued at GH¢89.00, lady’s shoes valued at GH¢25.00, Voters’ ID card, ABSA Visa card and cash in the sum of GH¢402.00 which belongs to the complainant.

According to Chief Inspector, Samuel Aperweh, prosecuting the case, the complainant Nyamavo, aged 32 years, is a nurse living at Lebanon zone 4, Ashaiman, while the convict Atsu Kwame Augustia aged 27, is a driver living at Dansoman, Accra.

The prosecution said on July 8th, 2021, at about 14:30 hours, the complainant ordered the services of Bolt Transport Company Limited to be taken from Lebanon Zone 4 to Sanko 4 Junction on the Michel Camp road.

Chief Inspector Aperweh told the Court that the complainant applied for the services online and the accused was the driver assigned.

The prosecution said the complainant boarded the said Bolt car to pick her children from school before going home. When they got to the school, the complainant got out of the car and asked the accused to wait while she goes to bring the children.

According to the prosecution, the complainant left her bag containing the items mentioned above in the car under the accused’s care. When the complainant returned with the children, she realised that the accused had gone away with the items.

The prosecution said on July 31st at about 11:00 hours, the complainant went to Community 22 Police Station and lodged a formal complaint. Police instituted an investigation in the matter.

The prosecution said Bolt Transport Company was contacted with the details of the said vehicle to furnish the police with the driver’s details, which was done.

It was revealed that the accused was a spare driver who was temporally engaged by one Bright Appiah, the official driver of the said vehicle.

Chief Inspector Aperweh said with the assistance of Mr Appiah, the accused was arrested at Dansoman in Accra.

The prosecution said during investigation, the accused person admitted the offence in his caution statement and stated that he spent the GHC402.00 and dumped the school uniform, the sandals, and the ID card on the roof ceiling of his mothers’ shop.

He also admitted to selling the mobile phone to one Quashie at Dansoman.

The accused then led police to Dansoman where the complainant’s phone, UBA, SSNIT and voters’ ID cards were recovered. After investigation, the accused person was charged with the offence of stealing and put before the court.