An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday handed a three-year jail term to one Richmond Eshun, a trader for using six wrappers of narcotic drugs without lawful authority.

Richmond was convicted on his own plea.

He told the court that he uses the dried leaves to boost his appetite for food, and pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy.

Presiding Judge, Mr Francis Obiri said the court took into consideration the fact that Richmond is an ex-convict jailed on a similar charge, and as such he has not learnt from his past experience.

Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ernest Acheampong told the court that the complainant, Reginald Woolams is a Pastor at Rulers Palace Chapel located at Abossey Okai GLICO.

He said on October 18, the complainant reported the theft of his church’s plastic chairs, tables, cables and industrial fans. He also alerted a witness in the case to keep an eye on the church for him.

The prosecution said on October 19, at about 0130 hours, the convict was seen at the frontage of the complainant’s church with accomplices who were in a waiting taxi.

DSP Acheampong said the witness on seeing the convict became suspicious and raised the alarm, but his accomplices managed to escape with the taxi.

He told the court that Richmond was, however, given a hot chase and arrested by the witness and a mob.

A search conducted on him immediately after his arrest by the witness revealed six wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a box of matches concealed in a black polythene bag in his pocket.

He said Richmond was subsequently handed over to the police for investigations, and in his caution statement he admitted the offence.