A circuit court at Tarkwa has sentenced Joshua Okyere, a 59-year-old self-acclaimed evangelist and herbalist to 13 years imprisonment for theft. He was sentenced on his own plea. Inspector Edward Paddy told the court presided over by John Ajet Nassam that the complainants, Ampong Wenche and his wife lived at Nsuta-Wassa whilst the accused hailed from Agona Abodom in the Central Region. The prosecution said on July 26, this year, the accused introduced himself as an evangelist and herbalist to the pastor and elders of the Twelve Apostles Church at Awudua near Tarkwa claiming he could cure all manner of sickness. Inspector Paddy said when a witness in the case told the accused that the married couple had tumor and infertility problems, Okyere said he could cure them of their infirmity and he was directed to their house at Nsuta-Wassa. Prosecution said on July 16, the accused visited the complainants and was accommodated in their house. Inspector Paddy said the following morning, Wenche left for work leaving his wife and the accused at home. Prosecution said when Wenche returned from work at about 1700 hours, he realized that his wife was in coma and the accused had left the house with some items belonging to Wenche. Inspector Paddy said the woman was rushed to hospital where she regained consciousness and upon a tip-off, the police arrested the accused in possession of the stolen items at Bogoso. Passing judgment, Mr. Nasam advised the public to beware of false pastors and evangelists who play on people's ignorance to rob them of their possessions. Source: GNA