An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered that a 17-year-old student of Mpape Junction, Abuja, be given 12 strokes of the cane for stealing.
Magistrate Hauwa Aliyu also advised the convict to desist from committing crime, and warned that he would be severely punished if he appeared before her court again.
Police prosecutor Mohammed Ahmed had told the court that the case was reported at the Maitama Police Station by Charles Allah of Nun Street, Maitama, Abuja, on Sept. 25.
Ahmed said that on Sept. 25, the convict entered into the house of Allah and stole a Samsung LCD television and a stereo MPC disc player.
He said that other valuable items were also stolen from Allah’s home by the convict, and that during investigations, the items were recovered from him.
Ahmed said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code, and the convict pleaded guilty to the allegation and begged for mercy.
“I had no alternative. My father is sick and I need to return to school and had no body to pay my school fees that was why I decided to steal.
“I admit that I have committed an offence. I am begging the court to forgive me,’’ he pleaded. (NAN)