Court sentences cocoa thief

Kade(E/R), Sept. 21, GNA - A 22- year old farmer, Kwabena Stephen who stole a quantity of cocoa beans being fermented by a 74-year old woman farmer, has been fined GH¢360 by the Kade District Magistrate's court. Stephen who pleaded guilty, was asked by the court to pay additional GH¢50 as compensation to Madam Adwoa Oyinka, the complainant or in default serve 12 months jail term in hard labour. Presenting the facts of the case, Detective Inspector Stephen Atsu Gamado said the accused and complainant lived at Sikaneasem village near Topreman. He said the complainant detected rampant theft of her cocoa pods and beans and was able to trace the footsteps of the convict to his house where she found a half-filled sack of cocoa beans in his veranda. During interrogation by members of the Unit Committee in the village, the convict could not tell the source of the cocoa beans and was therefore arrested and handed over to the police. Inspector Gamado said Kwabena admitted the offence and was therefore arraigned.