John Alister, the house help who allegedly murdered his madam in Sokoban, Kumasi, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for another offence – theft.
Alister was initially found guilty of two counts of stealing earlier this week, but his sentencing was deferred to today (6 October). He will serve the 20-year jail sentence concurrently.
Brief facts
Prosecuting ASP Stephen Ofori said the suspect was employed as a hotel receptionist at Bantama in Kumasi in 2022, following an advert.
After a month, the suspect abandoned work but returned in July and was pardoned and allowed to start work due to his previous working relationship with his employer.
On 6 August 2023, his employer (complainant) gave her Infinix Note 8 mobile phone to the accused person and asked him to check on the phone’s settings for her. He, however, took advantage of that and bolted with the phone.
He went ahead to withdraw an amount of GHC167,660.09 from the complainant’s ABSA Bank account, using a mobile app, the court heard.
An official complaint was made at the police and the accused person was arrested from his hideout in Accra.
By court
The court presided over by Vida Achiaa Yeboah took judicial notice of the new wave of crime perpetrated by a section of the youth, describing Alister’s case as premeditated. The judge also considered the fact that the suspect was convicted on his own plea.
She consequently sentenced him to 20 years for the 1st count of stealing a mobile phone worth GHC 4,000 and 20 years for the second count of stealing GHC167,666 which he withdrew from the complainant’s bank account using the mobile app.
He will, however, serve the two sentences concurrently.
Alister right after the court’s verdict broke down in tears as he begged the court for leniency. The court, however, declined.
Alister is expected to make a second appearance at the Asokore Mampong District Court on 17 October 2023, where he faces a provisional charge of murder for allegedly stabbing his boss, Madam Stella Osei to death.