Juaso (Ash), Aug 13, GNA - The Juaso Circuit Court has sentenced two persons to a total of 14 years' imprisonment in hard labour for stealing a mobile phone and wrist watch valued at 2.5 million cedis from two students.

Abass Mohammed and Yasseh Abdalah, who were handed seven-year jail term each, pleaded guilty on two counts of conspiracy and stealing and were convicted on their own plea.

Chief Inspector Stephen Opare, told the court, presided over by Mr Jacob Boon that the complainants were students of Konongo-Odumase Secondary School whilst the accused persons were illegal mining operators.

On July 7, around midnight, the complainants who were studying at the Odumase Local authority Primary School were suddenly confronted by the accused persons who ordered them to surrender all their possessions after pulling knives from their pockets. Fearing for their lives, the complainants handed over a Nokia 2600 phone and a wristwatch to the accused persons who immediately left the scene.

The students later reported the case to the Konongo police, leading to the arrest of the two.

The prosecutor said when a search was conducted in their room the mobile phone, a knife and two cartridges were found under a pillow. The wristwatch, however, was not found. Upon interrogation they admitted the offence and were accordingly put before the court.