The Akim Sowedro Circuit court in the Eastern Region, has sentenced Seth Kwame, a farmer from Akim Ayirebi to a fine of GH¢350.00 for stealing a goat valued at GH¢50.00.
Kwame, 42, who pleaded guilty to the offence will go to prison for 12 months if he failed to pay the fine.
Presenting the facts of the case, Police Chief Inspector Ben Osei Kojo told the court, presided over by Mr. Kofi Akrowiah that complainant Madam Akosua Donkor also a farmer lived in the same vicinity at Akim Ayirebi in the Akyemmansa District.
Chief Inspector Kojo said on May 11, this year, Mad. Donkor returned from farm to detect the theft of her goat from its pen and therefore enquired from Kwame who denied the theft.
He said the following day, Mad. Donkor noticed that there was a burnt fire wood used to dress an animal and again confronted the accused person who denied any knowledge about the theft and the complainant made a report to the police.
The police went to invite Kwame to assist in their investigations but did not meet him. While in the house, the Police Inspector sniffed the scent of a dressed goat. He then confronted Kwame's wife who was in the house.
Kwame's wife, a witness in the case, told the police that when she returned from farm, her husband had slaughtered a goat, part of which was used to prepare the food and the rest hidden in the bush and therefore led the police to retrieve the rest.
He said when the accused returned to his house in the evening, people from the town arrested and handed him over to the police where Kwame said in his caution statement that the goat was knocked down by a vehicle.