A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, sentenced a 23-year-old man, Hassan Umar, to six months’ imprisonment for stealing an air conditioner.

The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, however, gave the convict the option of a fine of N10,000 and advised the convict to desist from committing a crime. He said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

Mr Umar, who resides in the Kinkinau area of Kaduna, was convicted on two counts of conspiracy and theft.

The convict, who pleaded guilty to the offences, begged the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that he committed the offences out of hunger.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant and two others at large committed the crime on November 20, at Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.

Mr Leo said that the defendant conspired with others to steal an air conditioner belonging to the complainant, Zainab Abdullahi.

He said the defendant was caught and handed over to the police by a vigilance group, along with the said air conditioner, while the others escaped.

(NAN)