A self-employed man has been convicted by the Accra Circuit Court for illegal water connection of water, resulting in the loss of GH¢9,985 to the Ghana Urban Water Company Limited (GUCL).

Ebenezer Addy pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal connection and stealing.

He was granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000, with two sureties, to reappear on May 16, 2012 for sentencing.

Addy, who has been in custody from March 28, 2012, has, since his arrest, paid GH¢2,000 to the GUCL.

According to the prosecution, in 2009, Addy owed the GUCL GH¢3,600 and that resulted in the disconnection of water to his house at Akoto Lantey, near James Town in Accra.

He, however, managed to illegally connect pipelines to his commercial toilet and bathroom in December 2011.

Around 3 p.m. on March 28, 2012, the security co-ordinator of the GUCL and his team were on their regular rounds when they found the convict using water for his chores.

Investigations revealed that the convict began using the water from December 2011, thereby accumulating a debt of GH¢11,647.10.

During the court’s sitting in Accra, the trial judge maintained that he would only take into account losses incurred after the convict had illegally connected the water.

He advised the GUCL to take civil action to recover the remaining GH¢3,6612.97 the convict owed it.