Tabloid News of Friday, 16 April 2004

Source: GNA

Court fines labourer for stealing and causing harm

Ejisu (Ash), April 16, GNA- The Ejisu Magistrate's court on Wednesday imposed a one million-cedis fine on a 27-year-old labourer for stealing, causing harm and threat of death.

Paul Boateng pleaded guilty and will serve 18 months jail term in default.

The court ordered the accused to compensate the complainant, Mr Akwasi Donyina Boateng with 400,000 cedis or in default serve additional six months.

Police Inspector Simon Peter Akabati told the court that Tuesdays were sacred days for the people of Bonwire and they do not go to farm. He said on Tuesday, March 4, this year, at about 1030 hours, Mr Donyina Boateng found the accused carrying two bunches of ripe palm fruits from the direction of his farm and so he became suspicious and confronted him.

Inspector Akabati said Mr Donyina Boateng then took the accused's cutlass from him and asked him to follow him to the chief's palace since he had gone to farm on a sacred day.

He said the accused who was pleading with complainant not to send him to the chief, suddenly grabbed him from behind, threw him on the ground and snatched the cutlass from him.

The prosecutor said Donyina Boateng reported the case to the police who issued him with a medical form to attend hospital while the accused was arrested.