A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, at the weekend, sentenced a 23-year old man, Emmanuel Chukwu, to four months’ imprisonment for stealing a mattress.
The judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option of N10, 000 fine, saying the sentence would act as a deterrent to others.
Chukwu, who lives at Mamasa Estate, Galadima Gwarimpa, Abuja, was convicted on a one-count charge of theft.
The convict pleaded guilty and begged the court for mercy.
Prosecutor Zannan Dalhatu told the court that a neighbour to the accused, John Nwaru, reported the matter at Gwarimpa Police Station on April 21.
He said the accused allegedly stole the 10-inch mattress belonging to the complainant.
Dalhatu said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.