An illegal gold miner (galamseyer), has been sentenced to six months in prison in hard labour by a district court in Kumasi, for stealing GH¢460.00.
Sylvester Osei Bonsu, 23, who was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing, pleaded guilty.
Police Inspector Emmanuel Nkansah, told the court presided over by Mr. Alfred Asiedu, that Bonsu was a shoemaker, but went into illegal mining at Manso in the Ashanti Region.
The court heard that following the ban on illegal mining, Bonsu went to Kumasi and joined the company of Michael and Osei, his accomplices, who were now at large, and loitered around the streets of Kejetia, in Kumasi.
Insp Nkansah said on July 14, 2018, Bonsu was arrested by Kwame Asamoah, a driver, and the complainant in the case, for stealing GH¢460, belonging to him.
The court heard that Asamoah travelled from Manso Ayirebikrom to Adum in Kumasi, to purchase vegetables, and he (Asamoah) loaded the vegetables into a sack, and carried it on his head.
Insp Nkansah said when Asamoah reached the Kumasi zoo, he saw Bonsu taking money from the ground, and he (Asamoah) checked his bag and realised his money was stolen from his bag.
Prosecution said Asamoah was able to retrieve only GH¢140 from Bonsu after a search in his pocket.
Insp Nkansah said this attracted a crowd that wanted to lynch Bonsu, but he was saved by a witness in the case, who handed Bonsu over to the Central Police Station.
During police interrogation, Bonsu admitted to the crime in police caution statement, saying Michael and Osei were accomplices, who took the remaining GH¢320 and bolted.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
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