An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old unemployed woman to two years’ imprisonment for unlawful entry and theft at a church located within the 48 Engineer Barracks at Teshie.
The convict, Amanda Pascal, pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on her own plea by the court presided over by Mrs Basilia Adjei-Tawiah. She was handed a two-year custodial sentence on each count, to run concurrently.
Prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Abigail Offeibea, told the court that the stolen items included a deep fryer valued at GH¢1,500, a Bluetooth speaker worth GH¢3,423, 21 trumpet mouthpieces valued at GH¢6,820, a perfume valued at GH¢586, and six tins of sardines worth GH¢200. The items belonged to the complainant, Veronica Owusu Boateng.
The court heard that the complainant, an emergency medical professional at the 37 Military Hospital, resides at the Teshie Barracks.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on February 15, 2026. After a church service, the complainant was informed that 21 trumpet mouthpieces she had kept for safekeeping were missing. A subsequent check of her room revealed that other personal belongings had also been stolen.
A review of the church’s CCTV footage showed Amanda, who had reportedly been frequenting the barracks, entering the complainant’s room during the service and later leaving with bags containing the items.
The matter was reported to the police, and a search was initiated. On February 17, Amanda was spotted within the neighbourhood, arrested, and taken to the police station together with the retrieved deep fryer and Bluetooth speaker.
In her caution statement, she admitted to committing the offence, telling investigators she had used some of the remaining items and discarded the trumpet mouthpieces.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn when the trial judge inquired whether the convict had any prior convictions.
Although the case investigator indicated that Amanda had previously been jailed by the LEKMA District Court, the convict herself disclosed that she had earlier been convicted and sentenced by the same Circuit Court to nine months’ imprisonment.
The judge subsequently cautioned her to take advantage of rehabilitation programmes within the Ghana Prisons Service and work towards reforming her life, particularly in light of her responsibility as a mother of young children.
During mitigation, Amanda pleaded with the court for leniency, stating that she was preparing for an outdoor ceremony in March.
Despite her plea, the court proceeded with sentencing, noting the gravity of the offence.
Amanda, a Nigerian national residing at Teshie Lascala, will serve the two-year sentence concurrently on both counts.