A Half-Assini Magistrates' Court in the Western Region on Wednesday fined Mr Atsu Bakawo,27, from Tikobo Number Two an amount of GHC 600 for stealing a sheep.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and in default he would serve nine months imprisonment in-hard-labour.

The Court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu ordered the accused to compensate the complainant Mr Amadu Issifu, a farmer, with GHC200 for inconvenience caused before the fine is paid.

Shaibu Mumuni, 28, a butcher, and an accomplice of the accused is currently at large.

Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Osei Kumi said at dawn on Sunday July 27, 2014, the complainant overhead the bleating of his ewe in its pen and came out to see what was happening only to realised that it has been stolen.

The prosecutor said complainant's investigation led him to nearby Aiyinasi town where he found the sheep but was told it belonged Mumuni.

He said complainant made a report to Aiyinasi Police who arrested Mumuni and brought him to the Mpataba Police Station for investigations.

Chief Inspector Kumi said during interrogation Mumuni mentioned the accused as the one who sold the sheep to him and in the course of apprehending the accused, Mumuni in turn escaped from their grips and also went into hiding.

He said the accused went into hiding until April 29 this year when he was arrested at the Elubo border for stealing a motorbike.