Mechanic jailed five years for burning property

A 32-year-old mechanic who set on fire the belongings and money of seven people in an uncompleted house at Tantra Hill in Accra was on Monday sentenced to five years' imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

Kwame Frimpong pleaded guilty to seven counts of causing unlawful damage and the court, presided over by Mr C. A. Wilson convicted him on his own plea.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector J.K. Anim told the court that the victims - Victoria Agyei-Mensah, Elizabeth Sakordie, Naomi Boateng, Eric Sakordie, Ben Kofi Sakordie, Justine Yamful and Frank Lartey lived with the accused in an uncompleted building at Tantra Hill.

The prosecutor said there had been misunderstanding between the accused and his wife and Madam Elizabeth Sarkodie intervened and offered them shelter.

In the early hours of November 21, this year Frimpong's wife left for Berekum, her hometown, and this infuriated Frimpong.

Chief Inspector Anim said Frimpong blamed Madam Elizabeth Sakordie for being the brain behind her wife's departure.

Frimpong collected the victims' belongings and money totalling GH¢ 6,576, put them in one of the uncompleted rooms, poured kerosene on them and set them ablaze.