The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 25-year-old driver to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for stealing and causing harm to his neighbour, Elisha Makom.
Stephen Ampofo, also known as Kwabena Atta, pleaded guilty to both charges, leading to his conviction by the Presiding Judge, Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu.
The court further ordered the convict to pay GH¢5,000 as compensation to the victim, who is a farmer and the complainant in the case.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Lartey, prosecuting, told the court that both Ampofo and Makom lived at Wassa Dawurampong in the Western Region.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, Makom, who was recovering from an injury, boiled water to massage his body. Ampofo visited and offered to help with the message, which the complainant accepted.
After the massage, Makom fell asleep with his Itel keypad mobile phone beside him. Ampofo, who had earlier left, returned and stole the phone.
Upon waking up and realising the phone was missing, Makom suspected Ampofo and went to his house, where he found him asleep.
A search of Ampofo’s room led to the discovery of the phone, although the battery was missing. Makom informed neighbours about the theft and confronted Ampofo.
When Ampofo awoke, neighbours relayed the events to him. Though he initially denied the theft, he later apologised and returned to his house.
However, later that same day, around 5:30 p.m., Ampofo went back to Makom’s residence, found him lying down, and slashed his throat with a sharp cutlass before fleeing.
Makom’s cries for help drew the attention of nearby residents, who rushed him to a health centre for treatment.
Ampofo was later traced, arrested, and handed over to the Bawdie Police, where he was detained for investigation.
A police medical form was issued to Makom and subsequently endorsed by a medical officer and returned as evidence.
During interrogation, Ampofo admitted to the offence, claiming he was under the influence of akpeteshie (local gin) at the time.
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