Tarkwa man gets five years hard labour for stealing nurse's phone and cash

A Tarkwa District Magistrate Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence with hard labour to Shadrack Cobbinah, a 19-year-old unemployed man, after he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and theft. Judge Bernice Mensimah Ackon convicted Cobbinah on his own plea following the theft of an iPhone XR and GH¢5,700 in cash belonging to nurse Bernice Xornam Beble.

Details of the crime

According to the prosecution led by Police Sergeant Adwoa Yeboah, Cobbinah, who lived at Tarkwa Railway Station, broke into the home of Ms Beble at Nkamponase in the early hours of 16 May 2026. At around 01:40 hours, the nurse discovered that her bedroom door had been forced open and her valuables were missing. The stolen items included an iPhone XR valued at GH¢2,500 and GH¢5,700 in cash from her room.

The same day, Cobbinah was spotted attempting to sell the stolen iPhone, and the phone was retrieved and handed to police. Officers also found GH¢3,000 cash on him when he was arrested and brought in for questioning.

Investigation and confession

During police interrogation, Cobbinah confessed to the crime and revealed that he had an accomplice named Michell, who remains at large. However, the suspect disputed part of the prosecutor's case, claiming he had taken only GH¢4,000 in cash rather than the full amount of GH¢5,700 alleged by the complainant. Despite this discrepancy, he was convicted on both charges and received the five-year sentence with hard labour.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case reflects ongoing challenges in Ghana relating to property crime and home invasions, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. The conviction underscores the courts' commitment to deterring such offences through custodial sentences. For healthcare workers like Ms Beble, such crimes are especially concerning given the irregular hours they often work and their vulnerability to targeted theft. The case also highlights the challenge of pursuing accomplices who flee, which remains a persistent issue in criminal investigations across the country. The swift prosecution and conviction in this instance demonstrate the judiciary's efforts to provide justice for victims, though the continued presence of such crimes suggests that prevention and community safety measures remain critical priorities.