Magistrate urges alleged thief to ‘go home and be a good citizen’

BEVERLY PETER
MAGISTRATE Paul Puri Nii told a 25-year-old who allegedly stole a handphone and K1,600 to return home and be a good citizen.
“I believe you have learnt your lesson while in police custody.
“Do not steal again,” he added.
Nii made the remarks when striking out the theft charges against Ray Paul, from Kandep’s Murip village in Enga, for lack of police evidence.
“You said you have repented and baptised while in prison and must continue to go to church when you go home,” Nii said.
Paul’s case had been pending since last August and there was no progress on the police file.
“It is by law that the police must provide evidence within the reasonable time to prosecute,” he added. Police alleged that on Dec 8, 2020, Paul was with the complainant at Hohola 4.
Between 3am and 3.30am, Paul waited for the complainant to sleep and allegedly stole his phone worth K1,498 and K1,600 from a waist bag.
The complainant woke up and found the handphone and money missing, and Paul was nowhere to be found.
On Aug 19, the complainant’s wife saw Paul at Lareva Market, and took him to Hohola police station.