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Twenty-nine-year old Joseph Osei Mensah, who claimed to be a trader based in Koforidua, has been fined GH� 720.00 by the Kade District Magistrate�s Court for stealing a trader�s handbag. He snatched the bag belonging to Yaa Owusu which contained a Nokia mobile phone and a purse containing GH�5.00. In default, Mensah will be imprisoned for 12 months. Police Inspector James Essel, the prosecutor, told the court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Iliasu that on October 31 at about 0430 hours, the complainant was standing at a junction near the St Dominic�s Hospital at Akwatia waiting to board a vehicle to Akateng. Suddenly, Mensah snatched her handbag and took to his heels. The complainant shouted for help and people who were attracted to the scene gave Mensah a hot chase. Eventually he was arrested and sent to the Akwatia Police Station with the exhibits. In his investigation caution statement, Mensah admitted the offence. He pleaded guilty and begged the court to deal leniently with him. When Mr Iliasu asked him why his jaw was swollen, he replied that he was severely beaten when he was arrested. The Magistrate remarked that if Mensah had gone into farming instead of stealing, he would have benefited from his efforts rather than being beaten.