Student Stabs Businessman

Knife SETH ABBEY, a student who thought he was helping his mother eject a troublesome tenant by stabbing him with broken bottles in his chest and chin during an argument, has landed in the jaws of the law.

The tenant, Terence Freeman, whose thumb was also bitten by the accused, collapsed after bleeding profusely during the incident.

In addition, Abbey allegedly stole $1,620 and GH¢55.20 from Freeman's pocket during the altercation and absconded. The complainant tried to chase him but ended up collapsing.    

The accused who was put before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge D.E. K. Daketsey pleaded not guilty to causing harm and was put in police custody to re-appear on April 16.

Narrating the events leading to the arrest, prosecuting officer Chief Inspector R.K. Dzorgbeti told the court that the complainant is a tenant staying in a house belonging to the mother of the student at Nungua near Coco Beach.

According to him, at about 8:30pm on February 1, the landlady called the businessman and told him to come for the remaining advance of his rent as she did not want him to continue living in her house because his wife was troublesome.

He said this brought about a misunderstanding and heated exchanges between the landlady and the tenant, during which time the landlady called the accused to come.

The police officer noted that when he arrived, the accused saw the businessman in a heated exchange with his mother so he joined in the quarrel and in the process bit the victim's thumb.

He said things got even more sinister when Abbey took an empty Guinness bottle, broke it and used it to stab Freeman in his chest and chin before proceeding to steal $1620 and GH¢55.20 from his pocket while he was trying to take care of his wounds.

Furthermore, he said when Freeman realized that his money had been stolen, he tried to chase the accused person for his money but Abbey absconded leaving the businessman who collapsed a few minutes later and had to be rushed to a government hospital.

He said a report was later made to the police where the victim was given a form to take to the hospital which was endorsed by the medical doctor who treated him.

The prosecutor said the accused was meanwhile arrested and arraigned after police investigation.

By Fidelia Achama