Sekondi, Feb. 10, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Wednesday sentenced Isaac Quaicoe, a taxi driver and Emmanuel Bissue, an unemployed, to 15 months' imprisonment in hard labour each for conspiracy to steal and stealing.

They pleaded guilty to both charges.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Joe Hedidor said on January 28 this year that the two accused persons hired a taxi from Takoradi to Benso Oil Palm Plantation at Adum Banso at a cost of 170,000 cedis. He said the accused persons had gone there to inform one Ante Manu of the burial of the mother of Quaicoe, which was taking place the next day at Cape Coast.

Chief Inspector Hedidor said the accused persons did not see Ante Manu and when they reached Adum Dominase on their way back to Takoradi, they asked the taxi driver to stop at a drinking spot. He said the two drank some 'akpeteshie', a local gin, and before leaving the spot, Quaicoe picked a mobile phone that was lying on a shelve belonging to a trader at Adum Dominase.

Chief Inspector Hedidor said soon after the accused persons left, the owner realised that her mobile phone had been stolen and suspected the accused persons. She therefore phoned to inform the police at the Apremdo barrier of her suspicion and gave the description of the taxi and its occupants to the police. Chief Inspector Hedidor said the police intercepted the taxi and the phone was found on Quaicoe.

He said later, Awuah arrived and re-identified the phone and the accused persons.