Techiman (B/A), Nov. 25, GNA - A circuit court at Techiman has sentenced a 33 year old farmer, who claimed he poisoned a colleague's food as a 'joke', to 36 months' imprisonment in hard labour.

Kofi Twumasi pleaded guilty to the charge of food poisoning by pouring DDT into the soup of Mr Issah Kramo at Mmaapehia, near Nsuta in the Techiman District.

He asked the court, presided by Mr Justice Erasmus Gyinae to deal leniently with him since he did that as a joke.

Chief Inspector Sampson Yebuni, prosecuting, told the court that on November 21, Twumasi picked a quarrel with Mr Kramo, a Muslim, who was observing the fasting period.

He said Kramo, after preparing soup with which to break his fast for the day went to take his bath but when he came back and tasted the soup he realized that someone had put a concoction into it.

The prosecutor said Kramo immediately reported the matter to elders of the village and when confronted the accused admitted the offence.

Mr Justice Gyinae ignored the accused persons plea that he did that as a joke, saying his behaviour was irresponsible and could not be justified.