The Gbetsile Circuit Court in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, sentenced 23-year-old Courage Akadro to five years in prison with hard labor for stealing a Toyota Camry car.
Presiding Judge Eleanor Kakra Banes Botchway delivered the verdict after Akadro pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful entry and stealing. He received three years in hard labor for the first count and five years in hard labor for the second count, to run concurrently.
According to Inspector Maxwell Ayeh, the prosecutor, the incident occurred on May 19, 2024, when the complainant, Madam Millicent Kwetey Maku, parked her car at Mataheko second bridge area to purchase items from a nearby shop. Akadro took advantage of the situation, unlawfully entered the vehicle, and drove off. However, the complainant raised an alarm, and with the help of commercial motorbike riders, chased Akadro, who lost control of the vehicle and collided with a red Toyota Corolla. He was apprehended and handed over to the Afienya Police, and the vehicle was retrieved as evidence.
The court heard that Akadro had no legal representation, and he was subsequently sentenced based on his guilty plea. Judge Botchway emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect citizens’ property. The sentence aims to serve as a deterrent to potential car thieves in the region.
The prosecution presented evidence showing that Akadro had previously been arrested for a similar offense, which he is currently standing trial for. This latest conviction adds to his criminal record, and the court took this into consideration during sentencing.
The victim, Madam Millicent Kwetey Maku, expressed relief at the verdict, stating that she hoped it would serve as a warning to others who might consider committing similar crimes. She also thanked the police and the court for their swift action in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
