Saltpond (C/R), Feb 11, GNA - Yaw Boateng, a 20 year-old taxi driver has been sentenced to 18 months by a Saltpond Magistrate court for stealing eight goats and seven sheep.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on his own plea by Mr Kweku Agoagye.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector R.D. Nukunu in charge of the Abeadze Dopminase Police Station, said on January 19 this year, the accused driving a taxi went to Ekumfi Edumafa with two others at large, stole the animals and kept them in the booth of the cab.

Chief Inspector Nukunu said when they got to Abonko near Saltpond at about 4.40 am, one of the tyres of the taxi got deflated and while working on the tyre, the animals started bleating.

He said this aroused the suspicion of citizens of the town who went to see what was happening and as soon as the culprits saw the people they took to their heels.

The town's men gave them a hot chase and managed to arrest Boateng. When the vehicle was searched they saw the animals in the booth. He was escorted to Saltpond police station and after investigations he was charged with the office.