A 28-year-old ex-convict was on Friday sentenced to five years imprisonment in hard labour by the Mpraeso Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Kwaku Osei.

The ex-convict, Kwadwo Antwi, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and attempted to steal.

The Prosecutor, Detective Inspector Christian Apronti, informed the court that the complainant is a drinking bar operator.

He said for the past four months, the complainant had detected series of theft at his bar and decided to monitor the activities of some suspected boys in the area.

At about 0045 hours on July 19 last year, whiles keeping watch, the complainant saw Antwi loitering in the area so he kept surveillance and followed him in the dark.

The Prosecutor said the complainant later saw Antwi placing a table behind a window, on which he stood and forced it open and tried to pick something from the room.

The complainant arrested Antwi and handed him over to the Police.

Items found on him included screw driver, pliers and a pinch bar.

The Prosecutor said Antwi admitted the offence in his caution statement and was charged with the offence.

The presiding judge noted that such a person should not be allowed to live in society and therefore should be given a longer sentence to reform in prison.