Sekondi, May 13, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate Court on Friday sentenced Kwadwo Mensah, a 24-year-old unemployed to 18 months imprisonment in hard labour for defrauding by false pretences. He pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Philip Obeng, said in February this year, Maame Mbrah, the complainant and a farmer, bought 10 bags of cement at a cost of 400,000 cedis from the accused at Apowa, near Takoradi, where they both lived.

He said the complainant engaged the services of two masons to mould blocks for her with the cement.

Sergeant Obeng said when the bags of cement were opened, the complainant found they contained sand mixed with some cement. He said all efforts by the complainant to trace the accused failed until on May 6, this year when she spotted the accused at Apowa Lorry Park.

Sergeant Obeng said with the help of some people, the accused was arrested and handed over to the Police. He said in his statement to the Police, the accused admitted selling cement to the complainant but insisted that the cement was of good quality.

After thoroughly investigations, the accused was charged with the offence, Sergeant Obeng said.