A Magistrates’ Court in Jos on Friday sentenced a 19-year-old man, Samuel Emmanuel, to 18 months’ imprisonment for breaking into a house and stealing goods.

Mr Emmanuel had pleaded guilty to two counts of housebreaking and stealing.

The magistrate, Irene Pati, found him guilty as charged after the prosecutor, Daniel Damulak, reviewed the facts of the case.

Ms Pati sentenced the convict to six months’ imprisonment for trespass and 12 months’ imprisonment for theft and ordered that the sentences should run consecutively.

The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option of a N20,000 fine for trespass and a N30,000 fine for theft.

While reviewing the facts, the prosecutor told the court that the complainant, Victor Daniel, reported the case on November 3 at the Anglo-Jos Police Stations.

Mr Damulak said that the convict broke into the complainant’s house through the ceiling and stole a television set, a gas cylinder, a wristwatch, perfume and shoes of unknown value.

He said the convict was arrested while attempting to board a tricycle with the stolen items.

He said the offences contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law.

(NAN)