Takoradi, April 13, GNA - A Takoradi Circuit Court on Thursday, fined three persons a total of 900,000 cedis for stealing 400,000 pieces of coconuts valued at 40,000 cedis.

The court, presided by Mr Richard Kiya-Hinidza, directed that 600,000 cedis of the fine, if paid should be given to Mr Eric Miston the coconut farmer. The suspects, who pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to steal, stealing and unlawful entry, will serve 36 months' imprisonment each in default.

The court imposed a further 36 months' prison term on Ebekyii, who is an ex-convict, to run concurrently, in default. The three are Evans Ebekyii, a 23-year-old fisherman, Kobina Ebow, a 49 year-old unemployed and Akuba Tagoe 24, a copra oil seller.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector James K. Appiah told the court that on April 10, this year, around 9.30 p.m. Evans and Kobina were arrested cracking coconut on Mr Miston's farm at Axim in the Western Region, without his permission or a permit from the Coconut Crackers' Association.

He said the farmer who was facing persistent thefts of his coconut, laid ambush and succeeded in arresting Ebekyii and Ebow when they entered the farm to steal the coconut.

The prosecution said Ebekyii and Ebow were questioned, but they could not explain why they were on the farm. Akuba, who was later arrested for providing a fake receipt to cover the stolen copra, allegedly made an initial payment of 6,000 to the suspects when they finished cracking the nuts, the prosecution told the court.

At the same court, Richard Ametogah, alias Eda, a 29-year-old labourer, was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing 95,000 cedis, eight bags of cement and a wheel barrow all valued at 336,000 cedis. He was fined 200,000 cedis.