A 26-year-old labourer, Kelvin Sevor, has been sentenced to six months in prison by the Accra Circuit Court after failing to pay fines and compensation totalling GH¢6,600 for attacking a man he accused of having an affair with his girlfriend.
Sevor, a resident of Mango Street, Kotobabi, was convicted of causing harm to Isaac Bortey, a trader at Texpo Market on Spintex Road, in a brutal machete assault described by prosecutors as unprovoked.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, had initially remanded Sevor into police custody on May 15, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
His sentencing was deferred to June 6, 2025, when judgment was formally delivered.
In her ruling, the judge ordered Sevor to pay a fine of 300 penalty units — equivalent to GH¢3,600 — or serve six months’ imprisonment in default. In addition, he was directed to pay GH¢3,000 in compensation to the victim to help cover medical expenses. Having failed to meet both financial obligations, Sevor is now serving the full custodial sentence.
Background of case
Presenting the facts, Chief Inspector Daniel Appiah-Ofori told the court that the incident occurred on March 4, 2025, in Baatsonaa, Greater Accra Region.
According to the prosecution, tensions began on March 3, when the complainant, Isaac Bortey, received a series of threatening messages from Sevor. In those messages, Sevor accused Bortey of having an affair with his girlfriend, identified only as Sylvia.
The following morning, as Bortey engaged in conversation with another individual, Sevor allegedly approached from behind and launched a violent attack with a machete.
Eyewitnesses recounted that Sevor inflicted deep wounds to Bortey’s left abdomen and right arm before fleeing the scene. The victim, though severely injured and bleeding heavily, managed to report the attack to the police and was issued a medical form for treatment.
A police manhunt was quickly launched, leading to Sevor’s arrest at a hideout days later. During the investigation, officers recovered the machete used in the assault. The victim’s injuries were documented with photographic evidence as part of the case file.
Sevor was charged under Section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which deals with causing harm, and brought before the court.
With the court finding Sevor guilty based on his own plea of guilt and overwhelming evidence, sentencing followed as per the law.