Takoradi, Dec.1, GNA - The Takoradi Circuit Court on Wednesday jailed a 19-year-old unemployed, Isaac Acquah, for five years in hard labour for stealing five mobile phones and an unspecified amount. The convict pleaded not guilty but the court entered a guilty for him. The presiding judge, Mr. Charles Bamford Nimako, said mobile phone theft had become rampant in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in recent times and that anyone found culpable of mobile phone theft would be dealt with swiftly by the long arms of the law.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Seth Ahelegbe said on November 22, the complainant, Lawrencia Adu, a trader at the Takoradi Market Circle, left her five mobile phones and an unspecified amount of money in her bag whilst selling. The prosecutor said the convict clandestinely stole the bag with the money and the phones behind Ms Adu but the complainant found out and raised the alarm.

Acquah was given a hot chase and was arrested by some passers-by. Sgt Ahelegbe said Acquah was dragged to the Takoradi Market Circle Police Station and was subsequently arraigned at the Court and prosecuted.