Mate jailed for stealing GH₵500 sales to cater for pregnant wife

A bus conductor (driver’s mate) who absconded with the daily sales of his master to cater for his pregnant wife has been sentenced to a month’s imprisonment by a District court in Accra.

Emmanuel Kwame Asare pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.

Asare told the court that he needed the money badly for his pregnant wife who was due to deliver this month.

Asare had initially denied the charge, but upon persistent questioning by the court, he admitted the offence and changed his plea to guilty.

It was confirmed by the court that on his first and second appearances, he informed the court that the money had fallen into a pit latrine but on his third appearance he broke down and confirmed that he had sent the money to his pregnant wife in the Volta Region.

The Court in sentencing him considered the fact that he is a young, and first-time offender, besides his master has testified that he is a well-behaved young adult.

The Court then convicted him to one-month imprisonment, in addition, he is to refund the amount on or before June 2019.

The Prosecution had told the Court that Asare worked for Oppong as a driver’s mate on the Lapaz-Circle route and live with him at Avenor in Accra.

The prosecution said on December 23, 2018, after the close of work, Asare asked to be excused to attend to nature’s call and vanished with the transport proceeds of GH₵500.00.

According to the Prosecution, Oppong waited but Asare never turned-up so he lodged a complaint at the Old Fadama Police station, where Asare was later arrested on December 30.

The Prosecution said Asare was granted police enquiry bail where he promised to work to refund the money but he failed and was subsequently charged.