The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 24-year-old ex-convict, Kofi Essien, also known as ‘Buffon,’ to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for threatening to harm his mother, Madam Agnes Boadi, at Wassa Essikuma in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
Essien, an illegal miner, was also charged with causing unlawful damage and pleaded guilty with an explanation to both charges.
Prosecuting Chief Superintendent Alex Odonkor told the court, presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, that the complainant, a 47-year-old farmer, is Essien’s biological mother. The two lived in the same house at Wassa Essikuma.
The court learned that Essien returned from prison two years ago and became upset upon discovering his mother was in a relationship. He warned her to end the relationship, but when she refused, he began issuing threats to kill her.
Chief Superintendent Odonkor explained that Essien’s attacks persisted, and two weeks ago, the complainant, fearing for her life, fled their home to stay with her boyfriend in the same town.
The next day, Essien followed the complainant to the boyfriend’s house and ordered her to return home, but she refused.
The prosecutor said the convict who became upset, returned home, picked a cutlass, and used it to damage the key in the complainant’s door.
Chief Superintendent Odonkor said Essien was not satisfied with his actions, went for a pickaxe, and used the same to create holes in the walls of the building. The total value of the items damaged was GH¢2,570.00
He said the complainant reported the case at the Wassa Aboso police station where Essien was picked up to assist investigations.
