Ho, May 7, GNA - Yaw Winnie, 20, a student, who allegedly snatched a stolen mobile phone from a 10-year old class four pupil and sold it, was on Friday arraigned before a Ho Circuit Court charged with stealing and abetment of crime.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in Police custody to be brought to Court again on May 13, this year. The 10-year boy, an orphan, who had allegedly earlier stolen the phone from the house of a Pastor and was fleeing and had it snatched from him.

He came to the court dressed in school uniform.

Mr. Emmanuel Siameh, the Presiding Judge asked the complainant, Rev. Victoria Arku, Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP), Church at Matse near Ho to keep custody of the boy to assist in investigations. He also asked the Police to arrange with the Department of Social Welfare to keep an eye on the boy since his guardian, an aunt, who was not in court did not appear to be concerned about the case. The boy is also to be brought before the court again on May 13. Chief Inspector Appiah Kubi told the Court that on May 2, this year, Rev. Arku left her mobile phone on charge at her residence and went out.

He said the boy who was staying with an aunt in the neighbourhood sneaked into the Pastor's room and picked the phone. He said Winnie met the boy while he was hurrying away with the phone, snatched it from him and proceeded to sell it to a third person who is at large.

Chief Inspector Kubi said upon tip-of, Rev Arku demanded her phone from the young boy who mentioned Winnie as the one who snatched the phone from him. He said Winnie was then traced and arrested by the Police.