Kumasi, Oct. 19, GNA - Dauda Karim, a 24-year-old pickpocket, who was arraigned at a circuit court in Kumasi on Tuesday denied stealing one million cedis saying that he stole only 80,000 cedis. "My Lord the onlookers can even testify to this assertion", he remarked, causing a stir at the court.

This development might have attracted the sympathy of the presiding judge, Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh who remarked that, "If I had my own way I would have had you canned and set free but the laws of the country would not permit me to do so".

Karim pleaded guilty to stealing and was fined two million cedis or in default to serve 12 months imprisonment in hard labour. Police Sergeant Dorah Dede told the court that while one Kwadwo Owusu, the complainant and other passengers were struggling to board an Ejisu-bound bus in front of the Kumasi Central Market on October 17, this year, the accused person took advantage of the chaotic situation, dipped his hands into the complainant's pocket and stole one million cedis.

She said luck, however, eluded Karim as some on-lookers who saw him stealing raised the alarm leading to his arrest.