Man sentenced to 12 months in prison for stealing from artist who offered him refuge

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to 12 months in prison for stealing the laptop of an artist who offered him a place to sleep.

David Boateng, accused of stealing an HP laptop worth GH¢3,500, has pleaded guilty.

The court presided over by Ms Susan Eduful convicted Boateng for his plea.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu said the complainant Evans Kotey Djanie was an artist residing in Teshie First Junction and the accused resided in Ashiaman.

The prosecution said that on May 5, 2024, at around 2 p.m., the complainant was undergoing voice training in the Teshie Roman area when the now-convicted accused approached him and told him that he had come from Koforidua to Accra for work. but I had no place to sleep and I needed help.

According to the prosecutor, Djanie took Boateng home, left him in his room and returned to training.

The prosecution said that at about 3:30am, the complainant returned home and found that Boateng had stolen his HP laptop worth GH¢3,500.

On May 19, 2024, around 8 p.m., Boateng returned to Teshie and met Djanie behind the Teshie police station, demanding money from him without knowing that he was the same person from whom he had stolen the computer portable.

The prosecution said Djanie took Boateng out and asked him to follow him to a Momo seller to get money.

Along the way, Boateng also took the complainant out and fled.

The prosecution said Djanie screamed for help and had Boateng arrested and escorted to a police station.

Boateng, in his cautionary statement, admitted the offense and he led police to recover the laptop from Ashiaman.

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