Accra, July 17, GNA - A 23 year-old passenger who refused to pay a difference of GH¢1.00 cedi taxi fare and during an argument bit off the ear of the driver was on Thursday sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court. Kwame Agbonovor, a trader, pleaded guilty with explanation. He said: "I exchanged words with the taxi driver and his other colleagues pounced on me and pushed me to the ground. I became restless and in my bid to defend myself, I bit off his ear." He also pleaded with the court to have mercy on him.

The court, presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datse said his explanation and action did not amount to self-defence and thus sentenced him to a prison term of six months. The facts of the case as presented by Chief Inspector Mary Adika were that at about 2000 hours on July 8, Agbonovor boarded a taxi being driven by Mr Joseph Adade at Anyaa in the Ga West District and was charged GH¢2.00 for the journey to Onyinase. Chief Inspector Adika said when the driver demanded the fare, Agbonovor started a quarrel and attacked Adade who insisted on collecting his money. The prosecutor said Agbonovor beat Adade and bit off his left ear. He was arrested with the help of some people around and handed over to the police.