Bernard Torkpo, a 28-year-old corn miller was on Thursday sentenced to 16 months in prison in hard labour for stealing firewood and charcoal.

Police Chief Inspector Eric Twum-Frimpong, prosecuting, told the Koforidua Magistrate’s Court presided over by Ms Cynthia Wiredu that, about eight months ago, the complainant prepared firewood from his farm and packed them at the roadside for sale.

When he did not get market for the firewood, he decided to look for a vehicle to convey them to Koforidua for sale.

The prosecutor said a friend of the complainant also brought his 11 bags of charcoal to the roadside to be conveyed to Koforidua for sale.

However, while the complainant was looking for a vehicle, the prosecutor said, Torkpo hired a vehicle and conveyed the charcoal and the firewood to Koforidua Betom and sold them.

Chief Inspector Twum-Frimpong said the complainant was later informed that his firewood and his friend’s charcoal had been stolen.

He said the complainant did his own investigation and found that the driver who conveyed the stolen firewood and charcoal came from Nkurankan so he contacted him to assist his investigations.

The driver, consequently, led the complainant to Betom where Torkpo sold the firewood and the charcoal.

Chief Inspector Twum-Frimpong said the complainant confronted one Afia Frimpong, the woman who bought the firewood and the charcoal and she admitted buying the items from Torkpo for GH¢ 270.00.

Torkpo went into hiding until June 17 when he went back to Afia to demand the rest of the money.

Afia reported Torkpo and he was arrested.**