Asamankese (E/R), Feb. 3, GNA - A Malian who broke into a shop at Suhum and stole items valued at 620,000 cedis has been sentenced to four years in prison in hard labour by the Asamankese Circuit court. Buba Mawuli, unemployed who pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing, is to be deported after serving his sentence.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Osei Owusu told the court presided over by Mr. S.S. Appiah that Buba who lived at Dokrochiwa, near Suhum on the night of January 23, broke into the shop of Madam Felicia Dede at Suhum and stole a variety of soap, tins of milk, batteries and fruit drinks all valued at 620,000 cedis.

At about 6.00 a.m. the next morning, Korle Wayo, son of Madam Dede went to the shop and found that it had been broken into and the goods stolen.

At about 7.00 a.m. policemen on patrol saw the accused emerged from the bush carrying a fertilizer sack containing something "suspicious". Buba was then stopped and when the sack was inspected, it was found to contain assorted store items but could not explain how he came by them.

He was then arrested and charged.

Chief Inspector Owusu said later in the day, Wayo called at the station and identified the items as having been stolen from his mother's shop.

Buba in his cautioned statement admitted breaking into the store to steal the items.

The Judge said Buba an alien with no resident documents had abused the country's hospitality and had to be deported to his country of origin after serving his sentence.