A Dutse Grade I Area Court, Abuja on Thursday sentenced an 18-year-old scavenger, Mohammed Annas, to two months imprisonment for stealing items worth N39,000.
The Judge, Hassan Aliyu, however, gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine.
Aliyu held that the convict failed to give the court reasonable explanations on why he committed the crime.
He also ordered the convict to pay the complainant a compensation of N12,000.
Annas, a resident of Baran-Goni village in Bwari, was convicted for criminal trespass and theft.
He pleaded guilty to the offences.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Tunde Arowolo, told the court that the convict was reported at the Bwari Police Station by the complainant, Buba John, of same address, on August 31.
Arowolo said the convict, on the same date, scaled the fence into the complainant’s house and stole some iron rods, valued at N12,000.
“He also made away with four cooking pots, worth N25,000 and an iron kettle, worth N2,000,” the prosecutor added.
He said the convict was arrested and that during police investigation, he admitted to committing the crime, adding that some of the items were recovered from him.
According to Arowolo, the offences contravene Sections 352 and 288 of the Penal Code.
