Kade, March 31, GNA - A Kade District Magistrate's court has sentenced Nana Yaw Asante, to 12 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing mobile phone worth GH¢60 from a drinking bar. He pleaded not guilty.

Police Inspector Francis Cobbina, prosecuting, told the court that on February 16, the complainant, Vivian Ankomah, left her mobile phone at her drinking bar at Kade to go and fetch water. He said on return she met the accused leaving the bar and asked him if he wanted to buy a drink but did not respond and quickly walked away. The prosecutor said on entering the bar, Vivian discovered that her mobile phone was missing and immediately suspected the accused and went to his house and did not meet him and complained to his mother. He said when the accused returned home, his mother with the assistance of some men sent him to the complainant who took him to the police station.

Police Inspector Cobbina said while the accused was in police custody, the missing mobile phone rang in his room and his mother took it to the police station and after investigations the accused was charged with the offence. The presiding judge, Mr Kwaku Boadi Frimpong, commended Maame Bosompem, mother of the accused for sending the phone to the police and giving evidence for the prosecution against his son. He noted that if all parents would behave in such a manner, crime could be reduced to the barest minimum. Mr Frimpong said inspite of the overwhelming evidence against the accused, he insisted he was innocent and ordered that the phone be returned to the complainant.