The Enchi District Magistrate Court in the Western North Region has fined Christopher Kaidabi, a 29-year-old farmer, GH¢3,000 for stealing assorted items worth GH¢1,595 from a student.

Kaidabi, who is popularly known as Kwabena, pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and theft.

He was fined GH¢3,000 on each count, but the sentences would run concurrently.

The court presided over by Mr. Lawrence Buanor-Buer ordered the accused to pay GH¢ 3,000 as compensation to the complainant.

The magistrate further ordered that the fine and compensation be paid simultaneously or in default, 24 months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Prosecuting, General Sergeant Stephen Offei Asante told the court that the complainant lived at SK, while Kaidabi resided in a cottage, both located near Mumuni Camp in the Western Region.

He said on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at about 0900 hours, the complainant left home for the farm, but forgot to lock his door.

Prosecution said the complainant returned home around 1200 noon, and noticed his school bag, six shirts, two pairs of trousers, two pairs of sneakers, a belt, three exercise books, English, Mathematics and Integrated Science textbooks, all valued GH¢1,595, were stolen.

General Sergeant Asante said the complainant suspected the accused was behind the theft because he had a track record of such acts in the community, so he confronted him, but he denied.

The prosecutor said on May 12, 2025, the complainant, together with his father, met Kaidabi while on their way to Mumuni Camp, and they confronted him again about the missing items.

This time, he said, the accused owned up to the crime, and they escorted him to one Moses Kwaku Bronya, the Gravel Yard Neighbourhood Watch Committee chairman, and he handed him over to the police in Samreboi for investigation.

According to him, the accused in his investigation caution statement indicated that he sold the shirts and trousers for GH¢ 300 to one Kwabena at Domeabra near Mumuni Camp, but failed to lead the police to the said Kwabena.

Prosecution added that the accused also alleged he left the books in his room, but a search revealed there was nothing in his room.