Samuel Kwame Akwetey, 26-year-old farmer, was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment in hard labour by a Koforidua Circuit Court, presided over by Mrs Babara Tettey-Charwayb for stealing. He pleaded not guilty to five counts of conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful entry and stealing, stealing and possessing instrument intended or adapted for unlawful entry. Akwetey, whose sentence is to run concurrently, would be appearing before the Koforidua High Court soon for possessing fire arms without authority. Police Inspector Eric Twum-Frimpong told the court that the complainant is a trader and resides at Abotanso in Koforidua and the convict and his accomplice, one Baba, now at large, reside at Betom and Pipe-line both in Koforidua. He said on March 19, a police patrol team intercepted a taxi cab with registration. He said Akwetey and Baba were on board the taxi and when the vehicle was searched, a black bag containing one locally manufactured pistol, three live cartridges, one hammer, two knives, two torch lights, two screw drivers, a pair of pliers, a sticky substance popularly called "Akura Police", one cutter, and a cash of GH¢241.00 together with an unspecified number of phone cards were found. Inspector Twum-Frimpong said Akwetey claimed ownership of the items which were under his seat at the front. He said a thorough search in the taxi cab revealed one locally manufactured pistol under the seat Baba was sitting on. He said Baba sensing danger took to his heels and escaped. The prosecutor said Akwetey was arrested and brought to the police station. On the same day, the complainant went to her store at about 0800 hours and found that her store had been broken into by thieves who made away with assorted provisions, GH¢ 241.00 in notes, coins valued at GH¢39.75 and unspecified quantities of phone cards. Source: GNA