Man fined K500 for stealing

A 20-YEAR-OLD man who was found guilty of stealing was ordered to pay a K500 court fine or serve two months in jail.
The Mt Hagen District Court on Wednesday found George Mathew, from Semberike village in Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands, guilty of stealing a touch screen mobile phone, three trousers, a hair trimmer, and a pair of rugby boots.
Mathew was arrested and charged with stealing under the Summary Offence Amended Act.
Police prosecutor Stanley Lesly told Magistrate Lydia Karre that on Feb 2 at around 3pm at Kagamuga, Mathew allegedly stole a mobile phone worth K250, three Hard Yakka brand trousers worth K150, a hair trimmer worth K50, and a rugby boots worth K50.
Police told the court that the total value of the stolen items was K600 and belonged to a Jacob Tai.
Police said Mathew had stayed with Tai and stole the items and escaped to his village.
Police said when the defendant came back to Mt Hagen, the complainant had him arrested and charged and detained on Sunday.
Mathew, who appeared in court from police custody, pleaded guilty to the charge.
He told the court that he had left the stolen items in his village.