Farmer Sentenced To 12 Month For Stealing Mining Felts

A 27 year old farmer has been sentenced to 12 month imprisonment in hard labor by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for stealing felts valued Ghc 7,095.50 belonging to AngloGold Ashante Iduapriem Mine, Tarkwa.

The accused person, Richard Mensah pleaded guilty and he was convicted on his own plea.

Passing on the judgments, presiding Judge, Mr. Justice Obeng Asante said, the accused person has been convicted before and therefore has not repented from his bad deeds of stealing.

Mr. Justice Obeng Asante said to prevent him from stealing people properties always; he has to put in prisons custody for him to repent from his bad deeds.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told that complainant Michael Baah is a security officer of AngloGold Ashante Iduapriem Mine, Tarkwa whilst the accused person Richard Mensah is a farmer and resident at Bankyim, a suburb of Tarkwa.

He narrated to the court that on 11th June, 15, the security department of AngloGold Ashante Iduapriem mine detected theft of large quantity of felt from pipe stretch location of the company. The security department started manhunt for the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime.

Chief Inspector Osacr Amponsah said, the felts are laid on the surface of the soil to prevent cyanide and other toxic substances from entering into the soil and water bodies.

He said on 21th of June, at about 1:25pm, the security officers on duty at AngloGold Ashante Iduapriem mine access gate intercepted a taxi cab with the accused person on board.

The taxi cab was searched and they uncovered two ‘’ Ghana must go’’ bag loaded with pieces of felt valued Ghc 7,095.05 which was stolen from the stretch location of the company.

Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah said the accused person was arrested and handed over to the Police together with the two ‘’Ghana must go ‘’ bags loaded with the pieces of felt.

The accused was re- arrested and detained whilst the exhibits were retained for investigations.

After investigation, accused was charge with the offence and arraigned before court.