Kade, June 17, GNA - An Akwatia business woman whose driver stole her gold worth GHC 12,100 showed magnanimity when she pleaded with the Kade District Magistrate Court to free the accused after he had returned the mineral.

To the amazement of the Magistrate, Mr Abdul Majid Iliasu and the crowded court, Mad Mary Adu-Gyamfi, the complainant, pleaded with the court to release Ebenezer Lartey, the accused, who had pleaded guilty since she had got the gold back.

When the magistrate reminded her that she was only a prosecution witness since the case was "The Republic versus Ebenezer Laryea", the complainant said she was aware of that but she had forgiven the accused and pleaded with the court to free him.

When the Judge asked the prosecutor if Laryea had any previous brush with the law and the answer was negative, he ordered the accused to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months or to go to prison for six months in hard labour in default. Mr Iliasu said the accused had committed a grave offence since the value of the stolen item was high and should have been given a stiff penalty but he had taken into consideration the plea of the complainant and what the prosecution had said.

He said the country's criminal system also sought reformation. The prosecution had earlier told the court that the accused stole the gold from the car of the business woman on April 02 and refused to admit the theft not even when the complainant promised to forgive him at a prayer camp if he confessed. 1