Court Frees Thief For Being First-Time Offender

A TARKWA Circuit Court has acquitted and discharged Seth Arhin, a 20-year-old small-scale miner, for stealing 59 conveyor rollers valued at GH�4,244.22 belonging to the Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GGL), Tarkwa Mine. Although the accused pleaded guilty to stealing, the judge, Mr Justice Obeng Asante, said he freed him because he was a first-time offender. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the complainants are security officers of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine. He said at about 0735 hours on December 21 last year, the complainants were on their normal patrol duty, and on reaching the "conveyor number 18 Cut Back," which is within GGL concession, they spotted Arhin and two others, who are now at large, stealing 59 conveyor rollers belonging to the company. The prosecutor said the accused and his accomplices took to their heels but the security officers arrested Arhin while the two managed to escape. Inspector Amponsah said Arhin was handed over to the police and was subsequently charged with the offence after investigation.