Akyem Swedru (E/R), Aug. 16, GNA - An Akyem Swedru Circuit Court on Wednesday sentenced Yaw Agyapong Collins, a 20-year-old driver to two years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing churches' property at Akyem Aperade in the Birim South District. Collins was convicted on his own plea to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Charles N. Quaye told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that, the complainants in the case are officials of Methodist and Presbyterian Churches at Akyem Aperade.

He said on July 10, the complainants reported to police that their various Church premises had been broken into and items stolen. While investigations were being conducted, Collins was seen offering for sale a microphone that belongs to the Methodist Church. Police Inspector Quaye said, when Collins was arrested he admitted having broken into the two churches and stolen some musical instruments.

He said Collins confessed that he had wanted to sell the items in order to get money to acquire a driving license. The prosecution said Collins later led the police to an electronic repairer, where he had sent some of the items for minor repairs before selling them.

Items retrieved included an amplifier and a microphone valued at 1.9 million cedis and a sound mixer, which value was not immediately known.