The Circuit Court at Ofankor has sentenced Hayford Boateng, 38, a businessman, to 15 years imprisonment for stealing a car, valued at GH¢120,000, at Kasoa in the Central Region.

Boateng pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing, but was convicted after the trial by the court, presided over by Mr Ebenezer OseiDarko.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Peter Amponsah said the complainant was, Mr Makafui Kwasi Damalie, the Kasoa Branch Manager of the Consolidated Bank of Ghana, and owner of the car.

The court heard that on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, a driver of the bank sent Mr Damalie's Kia Sorento 4×4 car, to a washing bay at Kaemebre, a suburb of Kasoa, and left the keys with the attendant to return the car after washing the vehicle.

Chief Insp Amponsah said at 3pm, the convict, under the guise of being sent by the complainant, went to take the key from the attendant at the washing bay and made away with the car after paying GH¢40.

Prosecution said Boateng, last May, also went to the Richmens Washing Bay, near Ofaakor, and attempted to steal another car with the same modus operandi.

Luck, however, eluded him when he attempted to move the car and he was apprehended and handed to the police at Ofaakor.

Chief Insp Amponsah said Boateng was identified as the same person who stole MrDamalie'scar.

Prosecutor said Boateng denied the offence, but evidence was established against him and was charged with stealing.