The Asokwa Circuit Court in Kumasi has sentenced a 35-year-old man to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment after he admitted stealing from a patient's relative at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and unlawfully possessing police gear, which prosecutors say he used while targeting victims in hospital settings.

Charles Ampofo, an unemployed resident of Sunyani, pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing and unlawful possession of a police uniform and related items during proceedings before the court.

He was sentenced on his own plea for stealing, contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, and for unlawful possession of a uniform and other property, contrary to section 28 of the Police Service Act 1970.

Betrayal of trust

According to the brief facts presented in court by police prosecutor ASP Stephen Ofori, the incident occurred when the convict, on the evening of July 6, 2026, met the complainant, Jabuni Issah, a farmer from Techiman.

The complainant, who was visiting a relative admitted at KATH, struck up a friendship with Ampofo, who claimed he was also at the hospital to visit a relative on admission at about 8 p.m.

Showing goodwill, Issah shared a mat with Ampofo so they could sleep along the hospital corridor for the night.

The situation, however, took a turn at approximately 4:05 a.m. on July 7, 2026, when Ampofo suddenly raised a false alarm, claiming his own mobile phone had been stolen.

Awoken up by the commotion, Issah checked his belongings and discovered an amount of GH₵6,000.00 in cash was missing from his bag.

ASP Ofori told the court presided over by Her Honour Vida Akyaa Yeboah on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that when Issah immediately alerted hospital security, Ampofo grew visibly tense. The convict immediately fled the scene as security guards began questioning those in the area.

How hidden cash and police kits were discovered

Following a chase, Ampofo was arrested, and a search on him revealed GH₵5,000.00 of the stolen money stuffed inside his socks. He was then handed over to the police.

A subsequent search of Ampofo’s bag uncovered Ghana Police Service accoutrements, including a pair of handcuffs, two shockers, a drop-leg holster and a carrier vest.

During interrogation, Ampofo confessed to stealing the farmer's money but failed to explain how he acquired the police kits.

The Asokwa Circuit Court handed down the two-and-a-half-year sentence after Ampofo pleaded guilty to all two counts.

ASP Stephen Ofori argued the action of the convict was very reprehensible and that stealing at hospitals is very rife.

According to him, it would have put the hospital in bad light had the accused succeeded in bolting with the money.

Crocodile tears in court?

Ampofo broke down immediately when the court handed his jail term as he pleaded for leniency.

But the court took notice there was not a drop of tears.

While stealing attracted a 2-year jail term, unlawful possession of police accoutrements landed him with a further 6-month jail term.

Her Honour Akyaa Yeboah said the court took into consideration the fact that the convict was a first-timer.

She noted she was not moved by the convict's cry in court, which did not produce any tears.