The Juaso Circuit Court in the Ashanti-Akim District of Ashanti was thrown into a state of laughter when a 44-year-old farmer cried out that he stole because of his ill-health.

Kwaku Simon had been accused of stealing cocoa beans valued at ¢182,000 belonging to a cocoa framer at Akokofori, near Atwedie also near Juaso on January 11, this year.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing but cried out at the court that it was because of his ill-health, though he did not say what his ailment was.

But Simon, who pleaded for leniency, was not spared by the court which sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment in hard labour.

The facts of the case as presented to the court presided by Mr. Jacob Boon, by Police Inspector Benjamin Amoah, said Simon and the complainant lived at Atwedie, in the district.

The complainant, the prosecutor said, had been experiencing theft of his cocoa beans on his farm.

He, therefore, informed the various purchasing clerks in the community to be alert for the suspect in case the person attempted to sell the cocoa beans at the station.

According to the prosecution, Simon went to one of the clerks to sell the cocoa beans and a word got to the complainant who rushed to the scene and after some questioning he admitted the offence and the case was reported to the police.

Spectator