Three thieves jailed nine years.

Kumasi, Sept.1, GNA - The Ashanti Newtown Magistrate Court has sentenced three people to three years imprisonment each for stealing two sheep and two goats.

The accused persons sentenced on their own plea were, Kwaku Nyarko 21, Kwame Ampofo 24 and Kwadwo Boateng 25.

Police Chief Inspector Rebecca Adjetey told the Court Presided over by Mr Frank Afriyie that on August 19 this year, Joseph Opoku a taxi driver gave his vehicle to Kwaku Nyarko, the first accused as a spare driver.

She said during the night Nyarko and his accomplices went to Seniagya near Atimatim in the Sekyere East District, stole two sheep and two goats and put them in the boot of the taxi.

Police Chief Inspector Adjetey said, somebody who saw the accused persons stealing the animals informed the Asokore-Ashanti police but when the taxi reached a police barrier at Atimatim, Nyarko who was driving, failed to stop and the police fired to deflated a tyre but Nyarko managed to drive off.

She said with danger ahead of the accused persons, they abandoned the taxi at the Effiduase Senior Secondary School released the animals while the accused persons slept in the bush.

The prosecution said at dawn the following day, the accused persons removed the flat tyre, sent it to a vulcaniser who repaired it they fixed the tyre and drove off to Kumasi.

Chief Inspector Adjetey said when Mr Nicholas Kuma owner of the taxi saw the bullet marks on his car he questioned Opoku his driver who told him (Kuma) that (Nyarko) said armed robbers attacked him. She said Mr Kuma not satisfied with the explanation reported to the Kumasi Central Police station and Nyarko was arrested to assist in investigations.

The prosecution said, during investigations it was revealed that Nyarko and his accomplices were shot by the police at Atimatim for failing to stop.