REPUBLIC VRS ATTAH - MENSAH (B7/41/22) [2023] GHADC 1207 (11 December 2023)

REPUBLIC VRS ATTAH - MENSAH (B7/41/22) [2023] GHADC 1207 (11 December 2023)

The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew the television was stolen at the time she received it; the accused's explanation raised reasonable doubt as to her mens rea.

Citation
[2023] GHADC 1207
Parties
Prosecution: Republic; Accused: Stella Attah-Mensah
Court
District Court
Jurisdiction
Ghana
Judgment Date
11 December 2023
Case Number
B7/41/22
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Judgment
Outcome
Acquittal and discharge
Legal Topics
Dishonestly Receiving, Burden of Proof, Mens Rea, Actus Reus
Source Language
English

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Parties

Republic

Prosecution

Stella Attah-Mensah

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the accused dishonestly received stolen property contrary to section 146(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29)
  2. 2 Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew the property was stolen at the time of receipt

Ratio Decidendi

The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew the television was stolen at the time she received it; the accused's explanation raised reasonable doubt as to her mens rea.

Court Disposition

Acquittal and discharge

Orders

  • The accused is acquitted and discharged.
  • The television set retrieved from the accused person is to be returned to the complainant forthwith.