The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 26-year-old unemployed man, Joseph Quaye, to four years’ imprisonment in hard labour for threatening to stab his mother with a knife and a pair of scissors.
Quaye pleaded guilty to the charge of threat of death and was convicted on his own plea by the court presided over by Bernice Mensima Ackon.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Veronica Tibson, told the court that the complainant, Afua Adenzie, is a trader and the mother of Quaye. She resides at Ningo, a community near Benso in the Western Region.
According to the prosecution, Quaye had been having disagreements with his mother for some time and had repeatedly threatened to assault her.
ASP Tibson said that at about 7 p.m. on June 12, 2026, the complainant was at home when Quaye arrived at the residence.
The court heard that the complainant noticed an offensive odour from Quaye and advised him to bathe properly.
The advice reportedly angered Quaye, who engaged his mother in an argument and insulted her using offensive and provocative words.
The prosecution said Quaye subsequently pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and threatened to stab his mother, forcing her to plead for her life.
ASP Tibson told the court that Quaye returned to the house at about 2 a.m. on June 13, 2026, while his mother and other siblings were asleep.
He allegedly threatened his mother again, this time wielding a knife. The prosecution further said Quaye threatened that he would have shot his mother in the ribs if he had a gun. The incident was witnessed by his elder brother.
Quaye was later arrested at the Benso Police Station in connection with a separate case involving a stolen gun.
Upon learning of his arrest, the complainant went to the police station and lodged a formal complaint about the threats against her.
The court subsequently convicted Quaye on his own plea and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment in hard labour.
Story by Okogyeaman Seidu Abdul Ganiu