The Amasaman Circuit Court has sentenced a mason to three years imprisonment in hard labour for causing irreparable damage to a Donfeng Ex-Box car, valued at US$35,900, belonging to Hisense Company Limited.

Senyo Awuku, 32, admitted causing unlawful damage to the vehicle and was sentenced accordingly.

However, he denied entering unlawfully into the house of Mr Gad Ebenezer Afranie Kisi, the complainant, to steal the vehicle, as well as an HP laptop computer, valued at GH₵4,300.00, and cash amount of GH₵4,000.00.

He was ordered by the court, presided over by Ms Enid Marful-Sau, to be brought back on March 13, 2025, to face the other two charges: unlawful entry and stealing.

Police Chief Inspector Salifu Nashiru, briefing the court, said the complainant, who works at the Customer Service of Hisence Company Ltd, lived at Danchira Ocloo Farms, whereas Awuku was a mason living at Hobor, a suburb of Accra.

He said on January 30, 2025, the complainant returned home from work and parked his official car, a Donfeng Ex-Box car with registration number GT 4955-24 in his house.

Chief Inspector Salifu said the complainant also put his laptop, the GHC4,000.00 and the car key on top of his table in his room and slept.

The next day, at about 0500 hours, the complainant woke up to realise that the items mentioned had been stolen and reported the case to the Danchira Police.

He later put the said car’s pictures on social media informing the public that his car had been stolen.

In the afternoon of February 1, 2025, the complainant received a phone call from a friend that he had seen the car around Amasaman- Three Junction.

Upon receipt of the information, the complainant proceeded to the place and Awuku, then in charge of the vehicle, sped off upon seeing the complainant.

Prosecution said Awuku was given a hot chase, and he drove the car into a container at Ademan, damaging it.

He came out of the vehicle and took to his heels and with the help of onlookers around, he was arrested and handed over to the Danchira police.

After investigation, the convict was charged and put before court.

Awuku in pleading for mitigation asked for forgiveness and said he regretted his action.

Prosecution prayed the court to consider the fact that the vehicle had been damaged beyond repairs.

In passing judgement, the court considered both the mitigation factor, and the extent of damage caused to the car.

It ordered the release of the stolen items: vehicle and laptop computer.