Farmer fined GHC 180 for stealing cocoa beans

Kade, Dec. 21, GNA -Eric Kwasi Twum, a farmer, who stole 22 kilos of dried cocoa beans was on Monday convicted to a fine of GHC 180 by the Kade District Magistrates' Court.

In default, Twum who pleaded guilty will serve four months in prison in hard labour.

Police Chief Inspector Eric Tetteh Zorh, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr. Abdul Majid Iliasu, that both the complainant, Vincent Akoto and the convict were farmers at Tweapease.

He said on December 11, the complainant dried some cocoa beans at Mile Seven village near Tweapease where he had his farm and left for Tweapease town to make some purchases.

On his return, however, he met Twum carrying a sack load something which he suspected to be his cocoa beans.

He therefore challenged him only for Twum to admit having stolen the cocoa beans from the complainant's house.

Mr. Akoto then escorted Twum to Asuom where he handed him over to the police.

During investigations, the police consulted a purchasing clerk who gave the value of the 22 kilos of cocoa as GHC 40.

In court, Twum said he regretted his action and pleaded for leniency.

In his judgment, Mr. Iliasu said he had taken into consideration the fact that Twum was a first offender and that he had also not profited from the offence and fined him GHC 180.

GNA