An Area Court in Jos on Friday sentenced Joseph John to six months’ imprisonment for stealing various household items valued at ₦64,800.Justice Shawomi Bokkos delivered the sentence after the convict pleaded guilty to the offence.

However, the judge gave him the option of paying a ₦20,000 fine instead of serving the six-month sentence.

Bokkos also ordered the convict to either pay ₦21,000 in compensation or serve an extra three months by default.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Daniel Damulak, told the court that the case was reported at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on March 2 by Mr Danladi Abukuchili.

According to the complainant, the accused trespassed into his house and stole a gas cylinder, a barber’s clipper, a Tecno phone, and ₦21,000 in cash.

The prosecutor further stated that during the police investigation, the accused confessed to committing the offence, and the stolen items were recovered in his possession.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravenes the Plateau Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.