Asamakese (E/R), May 2, GNA - A 63-year-old man who was released from jail only a month ago, has been sent back by the Asamankese Circuit Court for three months in hard labour for stealing two goats. Additionally, Kofi Okyere, who pleaded guilty, would serve a further 12 months imprisonment if he failed to pay a fine of two million cedis.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector K. Bassaw said Okyere stole the goats belonging to two persons at Akyem Asuosu in the early hours of April 20.

The Prosecution said Okyere was seen by some young men with the goats by the roadside at about 04:30 hours, which made them suspicious about the way he was handling the animals and therefore confronted him as to where he came by them.

Okyere's explanation did not satisfy them and so they sent him and the goats to the Akroso Police Station. When information reached Asuosu about the suspect and the goats, the goat owners went to the Police Station to identify the animals as theirs.

Chief Inspector Bassaw told the court that Okyere was released from prison only a month ago after serving a term for stealing plantain from a farm. The Prosecutor said the accused had no permanent place of abode and was a habitual criminal stealing from place to place.