A 23-year-old illegal miner has been jailed for five years by the Nkawie circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti region for stealing three mobile phones at Atwima Nweneso.

Francis Amadu, alias Kojo Amadu, pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea.

Police Detective Inspector Dickson Kwaku Frimpong prosecuting told the court presided by Mr. Robert Addo that the complainant, Eric Eyezera and the convict were residents of Nweneso Number One.

He said on March 29, this year, at about 0300 hours, the complainant and his brother were asleep and Amadu sneaked into their room and took their techno spark 20, HOMII flip and itel keypad mobile phones, all valued at GHc 3,350.00.

According to the prosecution, the convict attempted to take the phones away, but the complainant and his brother woke up and saw him.

He took to his heels, but they gave him a hot chase.

The convict, however, managed to escape, and a report was made to the Unit Committee Member of the town and a search party was formed to look for the convict.

The Prosecution explained that the convict was arrested from his hideout at Nweneso with the phones and was handed over to the Atwima Hwidiem police.

The convict admitted in his caution statement, and after further investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.