Sales boy jailed after CCTV captures theft from employer
By DL News
Published
2 min read
The Amasaman Circuit Court sentenced him to 36 months’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of stealing GH¢217,000 from Madam Sahada
A CCTV recording became the decisive evidence that sent 22-year-old Kwame Atta to prison for stealing from his employer at the Adjen Kotoku onion market.
The Amasaman Circuit Court sentenced him to 36 months’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of stealing GH¢217,000 from Madam Sahada, the trader who had employed him as a salesperson.
Atta had denied the charge throughout the trial.
However, the court held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, especially after the CCTV footage was tendered and viewed in court.
The trial judge, Ms Susanna Nyakotey, said Atta failed to cast doubt on the prosecution’s evidence.
In sentencing him, the court considered that he was young and had no previous conviction.
It also took into account the fact that he denied the offence until the video evidence was played in court.
Madam Sahada was advised to file a civil claim if she wished to recover the stolen money after Atta completes his sentence.
The case began in July 2025 when the complainant discovered that a money box in her shop had been tampered with.
The box was where she kept her savings.
After realising that the money was missing, she reviewed the shop’s CCTV footage.
The recording allegedly showed Atta removing money from the box.
He later stopped reporting to work.
The matter was reported to the Adjen Kotoku Police, who arrested him.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dora Amoh told the court that Madam Sahada had employed Atta in March 2025.
Both the complainant and the convict are residents of Adjen Kotoku.
During police investigations, Atta admitted taking only GH¢1,500.
He said he intended to buy a mobile phone with the money, although he claimed he did not eventually do so.
A lawyer who appeared as a friend of the court asked the judge to show mercy before sentence was passed.
She said Atta was young, a first-time offender and had not been represented by a lawyer during the trial.
She argued that his denial should not be treated as defiance, but as fear and confusion.
She also urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, give him time to make restitution and bond him to be of good behaviour.
The court declined the plea for a non-custodial sentence and jailed him for three years with hard labour.
