Driver's mate, 19, handed 20 years in prison

There was wailing amidst tears as a -19-year old driver's mate has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The accusedMichael Kwaku received the shocker of his life when the Ashaiman sentenced him to 20 years in prison in hard labour for pouring  pepper into the eyes of an okada rider and robbing him of his motorcycle.

Michael Kwaku pleaded guilty simplicita to the offence without wasting the time of the court.

But the court, presided over by His Honour, Simon Gaga before pronouncing the sentence remarked that even though the accused pleaded guilty simplicita, I am concerned about his modus operandus by using powered pepper to snatch the motobike from the complainant.

He has to be punished to serve as deterrent to others. The court further ordered police to release the motorbike to the owner.

Mitigation: The accused, Michael Kwaku prayed for forgiveness but his plea was not taken.

Prosecuting; Presenting the Inspector Kofi Sakyi's Investigative case, ASP. Mrs. D. Boadu Pepra told the court that the complainant Emmanuel Lambel aged 21 who is an apprentice and also commercial motor plying his trade at Peaceland.

The accused Michael Kwaku aged 19 is a driver's mate and two others now at large residing at Katamanso, a suburb of Ashaiman. ASP. Mrs. D. Boadu Pepra told the court that on the 7th day of May,2023, the accused person was arrested for the offence of stealing a motor cycle with registration number M-17-GT 1538.

While the case was under investigations, on 9th May,2023, the complainant Emmanuel Lambel reported to Katamanso Police that on May 7,2023 at about 9:30pm he was working with his Royal motor cycle with registration number M-17-GT1538 and a man to Katamanso Timber Market.

Upon reaching a section of the road, the said man poured powered pepper on his face, pushed him to the ground and robbed him of his motorcycle.

ASP Pepra told the court that the complainant lodged complaint on May 9_2023 to the Katamanso police.

At the station, ASP Pepra the court that the complainant identified his motorcycle for which reason the accused was arrested.

ASP Pepra further told the court that the complainant identified accused as one who robbed him of him motorcycle.

After investigations, the accused was charged with the offence as indicated on the charge sheet and was arraigned before this honourable court leading to his conviction.