Unemployed jailed three years for stealing TV set

An Adentan Circuit Court has sentenced a 20 year old unemployed man to three years imprisonment for unlawful entry and stealing of television set.

Razak Awudu is said to have entered the room of one Karen Akweley Patterson at Pantang and made away with her Chigo 32 inch Television valued at GHS900.

Awudu pleaded guilty to the charges and prayed the Court to have mercy on him because he was jobless.

Handing the sentence, Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah admonished the convict to look for a job to do on his return from prison.

The Judge said there was no shame in doing business on the street and those who sell tomatoes had created Doctors, nurses and lawyers from their hard work.

The Court said it had seen people who have made it on the streets and they did not relent in their efforts to earn a living.

It is no excuse that people who are hungry should be allowed to steal or rob the public, the Court said.

The Court said people who bash the judiciary for punishing those who steal because they are hungry were condoning crime.

She said it was important that people who hassled on the streets were encouraged.

"We will teach you that law encourages hard work. I will therefore hand down a deterrent sentence".

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Jacob Nyarko narrated that the complainant is an administrator residing at Pantang in Accra.

Chief Inspector Nyarko said Awudu is unemployed and had no fixed place of abode.

Prosecution said on November 6, this year at about 1000am, the complainant was at home preparing to go to town when suddenly, she spotted the accused, now convict in her hall, carrying her Chigo 32 inch Television away.

It said the complainant raised the alarm and Awudu dropped the Television and took to his heels.

The accused was chased and subjected to severe beatings.

Prosecution said the Police patrol team was called in and they escorted accused to the police station and during interrogation, Awudu admitted the offence

GNA