Shama Magistrate Court on Wednesday sentenced Abubakar Saalu, unemployed, to 24 months imprisonment for stealing electric cables belonging to the Water Treatment Plant of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), at Inchaban, in the Western Region.
The court, presided by Ms Patience Ablorh, did not give Saalu the option of a fine.
Saalu, 18, pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage to electrical cables valued at GH¢3,500, belonging to GWCL, and stealing.
Saalu, alias Baaba, earlier told the police he was 17 years old, and, suggesting he was a minor, whose identity needed to be protected.
But, when the convict appeared in court again, he produced his Ghana Card, which established that he is 18 years old, and was sentenced.
Saalu was jailed six months with the option of a fine, two weeks ago, after he broke into a container shop and stole foot wears, belonging to some Nigerians.
The convict was released after he and two others paid court fines, but, another person could not pay the fine and has started six months jail term.
Police Inspector Silent Kesse said Benjamin Kumah Tsegah, mechanical engineer of GWCL, reported the case of stolen electric cables belonging to GWCL, to the police.
The prosecution said a security man, Osmund Acquah, on duty at the Inchaban Water Treatment Plant, saw Saalu hiding in the ceiling of the building of the company, cutting electrical cables.
Inspector Kesse said, Saalu attempted to escape, but Osmund with the assistance of another security man and workers of the company, grabbed him (Saalu).
The prosecution said Saalu was handed over to the police at Inchaban.
Communications Manager of GWCL, in Western Region, Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, said his outfit was satisfied with the swift prosecution of the case, which served as a caution to people with the intention of stealing properties belonging to GWCL.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, SHAMA
