Couple sentenced for assaulting a public officer in uniform A husband and the wife of age 50 and 38 years respectively have been sentenced on separate charges by

A husband and the wife of age 50 and 38 years respectively have been sentenced on separate charges by the Ashaiman circuit court for assaulting a public officer on duty.

Whereas the husband, Ronald Chapman, 50, is facing two charges of assaulting a public officer contrary to section 205 of the criminal offences Act,1960(Act 29) and causing unlawful damage contrary to section 172 of the Criminal offence Act 1960 (Act 29), the wife, Adwoa Oppong Mensah, farmer 38, is facing a charge of assaulting public officer contrary to section 205 of the criminal offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

The accused persons pleaded not guilty on both counts but later pleaded guilty and were sentenced accordingly.

A1 was sentenced to 100 penalty units amounting to GHS 1,200.00 or in default, serving two months in prison on count one, and 150 penalty units amounting to GHS1,800.00 in default serving 3 months in prison on count two.

A1 was also ordered to refund the cost of the damaged phone at the cost of GHS 25,000.00 and the same should be given to the owner upon payment.

For A2, the judge dealt with her leniently. When the duo first appeared in court, their counsel, Paul Kwaku Danso prayed for bail saying A2 has a-1-year old baby, same was brought to open court.

The court presided over by His Honour Simon Gaga, considering the welfare of the 1-year-old baby granted A2 bail in the sum of GHS 20,000.00 with two sureties one of whom was to be justified but the bail application for A1 was refused by the court on their first appearance in court. Having turned down the bail application for A1, the same was remanded into police custody.

Prosecution; Reading the D/Inspector, J. Mortey investigative case, Chief Inspector Samuel Aperweh told the court that the complainant, Inspector Ebenezer Sumameh and Number 54446 Lans Corporal Dominic Asante, all stationed at Adjei Kojo MTTD.

A1, Ronald Chapman, A2, and Adwoa Oppong Mensah are couples residing at Sakumono. Chief Inspector Aperweh told the court that on 22/05/23, the complainants with their uniforms soiled with mud came to the Ashaiman Divisional CID with a report that on the same day at10:50 am, while performing traffic duty at around the Adjei Kojo Underbridge tunnel at, they were assaulted by the accused persons without any provocation.

Pictures of the complainants in the muddy uniform were taken and medical forms were issued to them to seek medical care and a report of the same was returned for evidential purposes.

He told the court that investigations disclosed that complainants were indeed performing their lawful duties around the Adjei Kojo Underbridge tunnel ensuring the free flow of traffic for motorists when A1 who was driving a white Tundra Pick Up with registration number GE 5533-22 in the company of A2 heading towards Klagon from Adjei Kojo.

He told the court that upon reaching a section of the road, close to the Underbridge tunnel, the 1st complainant signaled A1 to stop but he refused.

He said instead, A1 drove to block the road impeding traffic flow.

The 1st complainant then approached A1 to order him to allow free flow of traffic but he became offended, came out of his vehicl,e and angrily pushed the complainant to the ground thereby soiling his uniform and unlawfully damaging his Samsung S3 mobile phone valued at GHS 2,500.00.

The act, according to Chief Inspector Aperweh, drew public attention to the scene amidst A2 angrily pushing 2nd complainant to the ground.

He told the court that, after investigation, accused persons were charged with the offence on the charge sheet and arraigned before this honourable court.