- Mason Sentenced to Three Years for Damaging Vehicle
- Vehicle deemed beyond repair after crash
- Defendant to face additional theft charges next month
The Amasaman Circuit Court has sentenced 32-year-old mason, Senyo Awuku, to three years in prison with hard labor for causing significant damage to a Donfeng Ex-Box car valued at $35,900, belonging to Hisense Company Limited.
Awuku pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful damage to the vehicle, which led to the court’s sentencing. However, he denied additional charges related to unlawful entry and stealing an HP laptop worth GH₵4,300, along with GH₵4,000 in cash, from the residence of Gad Ebenezer Afranie Kisi, a Customer Service Officer at Hisense.
The court, under the direction of Ms. Enid Marful-Sau, adjourned the case on the outstanding charges, with Awuku set to reappear on March 13, 2025.
Case Details
Police Chief Inspector Salifu Nashiru presented the case to the court, outlining the events leading to the arrest. According to the details, the complainant, a resident of Danchira Ocloo Farms, returned home from work on January 30, 2025, and parked his official Donfeng Ex-Box car (registration number GT 4955-24) in his compound. He placed his car key, laptop, and GH₵4,000 in cash on a table in his room before going to bed.
The following morning, around 5:00 a.m., the complainant discovered that his car and valuables had been stolen. He immediately reported the theft to the Danchira Police and shared images of the missing vehicle on social media.
On February 1, 2025, a friend of the complainant spotted the stolen vehicle at Amasaman Three Junction and alerted the complainant. Upon arriving at the scene, the complainant saw Awuku in the vehicle. Awuku, upon noticing he had been identified, attempted to flee, leading to a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, Awuku lost control of the vehicle and crashed it into a container at Ademan, causing severe damage. He abandoned the car and attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended by bystanders and handed over to the police.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the court trial, Awuku expressed remorse for his actions and pleaded for leniency. Despite his plea, the prosecution emphasized the significant damage caused to the vehicle, which was deemed irreparable. After considering both the defendant’s request for mitigation and the extent of the damage, the court sentenced Awuku to three years in prison with hard labor.
Additionally, the court ordered the return of the stolen vehicle and laptop to the complainant. Awuku will return to court next month to address the remaining charges of unlawful entry and theft.
