Tarkwa(W/R), Sept. 02, GNA - A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced Joe Shabi, 25, a labourer to 12 months imprisonment on his own plea for stealing smoked tuna valued at 16,000 cedis.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Joseph Apaloo told the court presided over by Mr John Ajet Nasam that the complainant was Madam Esi Akwaah, 46, a "chop bar" operator who lives at Akyampim a village near Damang in the Wassa West District while the accused was a labourer to the complainant who pounds "fufu" at the bar. Police Chief Inspector Apaloo said on the morning of August 12, this year, the complainant kept some smoked tuna at the bar, to be used for preparing soup the following day.

He said the accused stole one of the fish and gave it to one Abena Konadu for safe keeping, but Ekua Fosuah, daughter of the complainant, saw the accused and reported the incident to her mother. The prosecutor said when the accused heard that Fosuah had reported the incident to the complainant he went into hiding until the night of August 26 when he was spotted at the outskirts of Akyempim and arrested by the police and after investigations charged with the offence. 02 Sept.06