Teen jailed 18 months for stealing iPhone in Tarkwa

The Tarkwa District Magistrate Court Two has sentenced an 18-year-old small-scale miner, Theophilus Fameye, to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for stealing an iPhone 11 valued at GH¢2,600 from a student.

Fameye pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and stealing.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Patrick Essien told the court, presided over by Mr Isaac Osei Asare, that the complainant, Stephen Omare, is a student residing at Bompieso in the Western Region.

The court heard that on Monday, January 12, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m., the complainant left his iPhone 11 charging in his room but forgot to lock the door. Because his fan was not working, he decided to sleep in his father’s room, which is adjacent to his.

Inspector Essien said that at about 7:00 a.m. the following morning, the complainant returned to his room and discovered that the phone had been stolen. He and his father attempted to call the device using the father’s phone, but it was switched off.

Later, they received a tip-off that Fameye, who lived in the same neighbourhood, had taken the phone. They proceeded to his house and demanded the device. Fameye entered his room, retrieved the phone and handed it over.

He was subsequently escorted to the Aboso Police Station, where the complainant lodged a formal complaint.

Following investigations and his arraignment before the court, Fameye admitted the offences and was convicted on his own plea.

The court sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.