Kade, Aug. 17, GNA - An 83-year-old farmer, Yaw Havor, who stole tilapia from a fish pond was, on Tuesday, convicted to a fine of GHC 60 by the Kade District Magistrate's Court.
In default, Havor would go to prison for one month in hard labour.
Additionally, the magistrate, Mr Abdul Majid Iliasu, ordered the convict to pay compensation of GHC 30, being the value of the fish to the complainant, Samuel Aboagye Brako.
The sentence, was however, suspended for two weeks to enable him to pay the fine.
The magistrate observed that the old man had been stealing from his youthful days but said he was giving him a lighter sentence in view of his advanced age.
Police Detective Corporal Isaac Owusu Achiaw, prosecuting, said the complainant had a fish pond at Adankrono.
He said for some time now, someone had been fishing in the pond but all efforts to apprehend the culprits proved futile.
The prosecutor said in view of the scale of the theft of his tilapia, the complainant had been unable to pay loans he took and his bankers had been threatening to sue him in court.
On August 9, at about 1530 hours, the complainant visited the pond and found Havor near the place so he decided to hide in the bush and watch what he was up to.
The prosecutor said shortly afterwards, he saw Havor casting a net into the pond and as he drew it with his catch, the complainant arrested him.
He them marched him to the Police Station with the net and the harvested tilapia and lodged a complaint.
When the police interrogated him, Havor instantly admitted the offence.
When the magistrate asked Havor his age and he mentioned that he was 83, he questioned him whether at that age he should be stealing.
There was no answer but when asked of his hometown, he said: "Sogakope, (by the Volta River), with a thriving fishing industry," to laughter from the crowded court.
When Havor was given the opportunity to plead for mitigation before sentence was passed, he said he had nothing to say.