A 22-year-old welder has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in hard labour, by the Asante Akropong circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District for robbery at Asaase Bokankye, near Akropong. 

Williams Amoateng pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea, by the court presided over by Mrs Gloria Mensah Bonsu. 

Police Chief Inspector Evans Baaba Ayimbisah, prosecuting told the court that, Blessing Owusu, the complainant was a tricycle rider and resident of Atwima Agogo, while Amoateng, and his accomplice, one Jolley, who is now at large, resided at Asaase Bokankye. 

 He said on February 25, this year, at about 8 pm, the complainant, who was in charge of his tricycle (pragia) with registration number M-2023-AS 2221, was in his normal riding business in Abuakwa and its environs. 

The convict, together with his accomplice engaged his services to Asaase Bokankye but on their way, Amoateng ordered the complainant to stop, and he complied. 

According to the prosecution, the two came out from the vehicle and suddenly, picked up a stick and a stone, and threatened to harm the complainant if he failed to surrender the vehicle valued at GH¢46,000, and his day’s sales to them. 

They took away the vehicle and GH¢750 cash and bolted. 

The prosecution said on February 27, this year, the complainant spotted Amoateng at Asaase Bokankye and raised an alarm. 

With the help of some people, the convict was arrested and handed over to the Pokukrom Police. 

He admitted the offence in his caution statement and told the Police that he had sold the vehicle to someone at Kumasi-Alabar. 

He was able to trace the said buyer when the Police led him to the place. 

After further investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.