The Enchi District Magistrate’s Court has sentenced an 18-year-old farmer, Francis Coffie, to a fine of GHC600 for stealing his neighbor’s sheep, valued at GHC800.
Coffie pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing before the Court, presided over by Mr. Eric Baah Boateng. In default, he will spend six months in prison with hard labour.
Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare told the court that the complainant is a crop and livestock farmer who reside at Tano-Ano in the Aowin Municipality with the convict. He said in the early hours of September 12, 2020, the complainant tethered three of his sheep against a tree on pasture to enable them to graze.
At a point in time, the complaint left the animals due to network challenges to make a phone call at a designated area. On the same day at about 1200 hours, the complainant returned to the spot where he tied up the sheep and detected two were stolen.
Detective Agyare said while the complainant was busily searching for the sheep, he chanced on them butchered in Coffie’s room. He said the convict was arrested and handed over to the Asemkrom Police with the butchered sheep where a formal complaint was lodged.
Detective Agyare said the convict, in his statement, admitted the offence and claimed that he was possessed by a spirit to commit the offence.
