Kwabena Paterson, an ex-convict, has been found guilty and given a 14-year prison sentence by a Bono Region Circuit Court in Dormaa-Ahenkro for causing unlawful damage, breaking and entering, stealing, and resisting arrest. He was 28 years old. Paterson, who was also an apprentice mason, entered a not guilty plea and was subsequently found guilty by the Court on all four offenses.
The complainant, a student at the University of Energy and Natural Resources’ Dormaa Campus, resided at SS, according to Police Inspector (P/Inspt.) Emmanuel Asare, the prosecutor, who testified before the court, which was presided over by Mr. Samuel Djanie Kotey. The convict also lived in the suburb of Nkyenkyenkye at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant locked his door and left for school at 7:00 am on Thursday, April 21 of this year. At 11:00 am, his landlady called and inquired as to why he had left his door unlocked. P/Inspt. Asare reported that when the complainant hurried back to the house, he discovered that his seven kilogram gas cylinder, valued at GhC150.00, and DH electrical standing fan, valued at GhC125.00, had been stolen. He claimed that after starting his own inquiry, the complainant learned from a witness that the inmate had been seen carrying the aforementioned items.
According to P/Inspt. Asare, the complainant reported the incident to the police in Dormaa-Ahenkro, and subsequent investigation resulted in the convict’s arrest. The prosecutor said convict resisted arrest by engaging the Police in a fierce struggle but was overpowered and brought to the Police station.
P/Inspt. Asare said during interrogations, the convict denied the offence but later admitted and led the Police to his abode, adding that convict was though handcuffed, he fled when they reached his residence but was pursued and re-arrested. He said the fan was retrieved, but the convict sold the gas cylinder to one Charles at Brofoyedru, a farming community in the Municipality.
