The Nkawie Community tribunal chaired by Mr Kwaku Dampare on Wednesday sentenced Kwasi Mensah, a 28-year-old woodcarver from Atwima-Ofoase to 24 months’ imprisonment for stealing large quantities of textbooks belonging to Nkorang Junior Secondary School (JSS). He pleaded guilty to stealing.

His accomplice, Kwasi Sarpong, a 30-year old bookseller in Kumasi, charged with receiving the stolen items, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on May 21.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Ben Antwi said the headteacher of Nkorang JSS on May 2 reported the theft to the police involving large quantities of textbooks.

Investigations led to the arrest of Mensah, who admitted the offence and led police to Kumasi where Sarpong was also arrested.

Inspector Antwi said a search on Sarpong led to the retrieval of 18 basic learners dictionary books with the school stamp on the cover.

Mensah, the prosecutor said later led the police to Atwima-Ofoase, where a metal box containing large quantities of the books were also retrieved from the bush.

Sentencing Mensah, Mr Dampare deplored the persistent stealing of school textbooks and other items at Nkorang and the surrounding communities, saying the increasing stealing of valuable school materials has affected effective teaching and learning in the district.

Mr Dampare said the sentence would serve as deterrent to others and warned that severer punishment would be meted out to any person brought before him for a similar offence.