Woman, 33, fined GH₵18k for stealing from her Madam

A 33-year-old hairdresser, Bernice Kwanor has been fined GH₵18,000 by an Accra Circuit Court for stealing GH₵39,000  from her madam, a businesswoman. 

Bernice, who was charged with stealing, initially pleaded not guilty.

However, at the end of the trial, she was found guilty by the Court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah.

The accused person has been sentenced by the Court to pay 1,500 penalty units (GH₵18,000.00). In case of default, the accused would have to serve eight months imprisonment in hard labour.

The Court ordered the convict to refund the remaining money to the complainant.

According to Police Chief Inspector Benson Benneh, the complainant was a businesswoman living in Teshie and the convict resided in Akosombo No.1 Teshie.

On October 2, 2020, the prosecution stated that the complainant hired the convict as a salesgirl to manage her provision shop in Ayorkor Wuo, Teshie. The shop sold cold store products and local foodstuff.

It said the complainant later traveled to the United States of America on a business trip.

According to the prosecution, between October 2020 and February 2021, the defendant stole GH₵39,000.00 from the shop’s sales, which she recorded in a sales book.

It said on April 1, 2021, the complainant returned from her trip and asked the convict to render an account to her, but the convict could not account for the sales.

The prosecution said the convict, who could not account for the stolen money thereafter went into hiding.

It said efforts made by the complainant to locate the convict proved futile.

The prosecution said on April 16, 2021, a complaint was made to the Police, and on the same day, the investigation led to the arrest of the convict from her hideout.

It said during investigations, the convict admitted the offense and said she only stole an amount of GH₵800.00.

The prosecution said the convict later refunded to the Police an amount of GH₵1,000.00.