An 18-year-old student, Bright Atanga, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Tarkwa District Court Two after pleading guilty to unlawful entry and theft.
The incident occurred near the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, when Atanga snatched a mobile phone from a student and attempted to flee. In his escape, he scaled a fence into a private residence at Nkamponase, a community close to the university.
Police Sergeant Adwoa Yeboah told the court that the homeowner, Samuel Dontoh, returned to find a crowd assaulting the suspect in his compound. Police later intervened following a distress call, rescued Atanga from the mob, and took him to the hospital before escorting him to the station.
During interrogation, Atanga confessed to the theft, admitting he had entered the compound to hide from the pursuing victim. The stolen phone was reportedly retrieved by the mob before he was handed over to authorities.
Presiding Judge Isaac Osei Asare convicted Atanga on his own plea and imposed the custodial sentence.
