An illegal miner, Akwasi Isaac, 22, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in hard labour by a Tarkwa circuit court for unlawfully causing harm to his friend Kwaku Yeboah.

The convict, who is popularly known as Akwasman pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The prosecuting officer, Police Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, told the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu that the complainant is the unit committee chairman for Asuminam Electoral Area near Wassa Dominase in the Western Region.

He said Yeboah, an illegal miner, and Isaac were friends, and both resided at Asuminam.

According to the prosecutor, on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at about 11: 30 pm, Isaac returned from town heavily drunk and started worrying the victim (Yeboah) who was then fast asleep.

Chief Inspector Lartey said Yeboah used all means to prevent Isaac from harassing him as he needed rest after a hard day’s work but to no avail.

The prosecution said to stop Isaac from making further advances, Yeboah used a cutlass to hit his back, and he became offended, and started fighting him.

He said later, Isaac also went for a cutlass and attempted to slash Yeboah but Yeboah tried to block it and in the process, he chopped off his right wrist, and some good samaritan rushed him to the Greenshield hospital, Sefwi Bekwai, where he was treated and discharged.

Chief Inspector Lartey said to prevent a mob attack over what had transpired, Isaac pretended to be unconscious until the police arrived at the scene and arrested him.

The convict admitted the offence and was put before the Asankragwa District Court and remanded, while investigations continued.