Welder jailed 30 years for robbery

Accra, July 25, GNA - Desmond Owusu, a welder, and his accomplice now at large, who hired a taxi from Kasoa to Weija SCC and pulled a gun and a cutlass on the driver to surrender the car and any available cash on him, was on Tuesday sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.

The accused pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was convicted on his own plea.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Patrick A. Morkeh, prosecuting said the complainant, a taxi driver, and the accused a welder both reside at Kasoa, and that on July 19, at about 22.00 hours the accused and one other man now at large hired the complainant who was driving Nissan Almera taxi with registration number GE 8595-12 from Kasoa to Weija.

He said on reaching a section of the road at SCC, the accused and his accomplice pulled a gun and a cutlass on the complainant and attacked him to surrender the taxi and any available cash on him.

DSP Morkeh said the complainant resisted and struggled with them where he was subjected to a severe beating, and notwithstanding the attack, the complainant raised the alarm and neighbours in the area came to his aid.

He said the accused and his accomplice sensing danger, attempted to take to their heels but luck eluded the accused who was then holding two cutlasses.

DSP Morkeh said the accused was chased by the mob arrested and handed over to the Police together with the two cutlasses.

He said during the Police investigation, the accused mentioned one B.B. as his accomplice but failed to help the Police to trace him.

GNA