Two sentenced 200 years for armed robbery

A Takoradi Circuit Court “A” on Thursday handed over a total of 200 years jail term to Stephen Kwaku Antwi, alias Bayerebon and Nana Yaw Gyamfi on the count of conspiracy to commit crime wit to robbery and armed robbery.

Each will serve 100 years.

Prior to the sentence, Mr. Kwasi Boakye, the trial Judge said on December 16, 2010, the two convicts together with four others, now at large, broke into the bedroom of Mr. Stephen Owusu-Antwi, now deceased at about 0100 hours at Sefwi-Anhwiaso and orderd him at gun point to get up from the bed and surrender all his belongings.

The wife, Madam Rose Bediako, also the complainant, then started shouting and was ordered by the gang to face the wall.

The deceased told the gang that he had used all his monies with the exception of GH¢520 left in his pair of jeans trouser, which was tendered in as evidence at the court.

The gang then took the trousers, a mini bag containing some personal belongings and unspecified amount of money and instructed the victim (deceased) to give out his mobile phone, which he said he had left in his shop.

This was said to have infuriated the group with the lead gandster, Bayerebon ordering Adu Gyamfi to stab him after which they quickly bolted away with the booty.

The wife then shouted for help and some neighbours assisted for the deceased to be taken to Sefwi-Anhwiaso Health Centre and was subsequently referred to the Bibiani Government Hospital but could not survive the journey and died on the way.

Mrs. Frances Mullen Ansah, Senior State Attorney, assisted by Mr. George Sackey and Mary Nsenkyire, all state attorneys, had diligently followed the case to the latter.

Mr. Sackey before judgment was passed, entreated the Judge to give out a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to all young men who channeled their energies into such untoward ventures.

He said, “Given the nature of the crime and the youthful age of these once I will plead with you not to give a sentence less than 60 years”.

Mr. Kwasi Boakye after reading the detailed account to the court described the acts of the gang as, “reprehensible”, “diabolic”, “brutish” and “nasty” among others and said such individuals did not deserve to live in society.

He said the act was in contravention to Section 24 of the criminal code of Ghana and thus sentenced them accordingly.

Source: GNA