A man who sold a shopkeeper six sacks of sugar containing sand was yesterday fined Sh100, 000 by a Mombasa court. Juma Abdul pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining Sh13,000 by false pretences from Ali Bakari on January 28 at Polisi area, Likoni.

Juma is alleged to have approached the complainant at his shop and said he wanted to travel upcountry but had no money and offered to sell him six bags.

The court heard that Abdul sold the six bags for Sh13,000 before the complainant discovered the bags were filled with sand and reported to Likoni police station.

Resident magistrate Irene Ruguru noted that the accused seemed remorseful. "I have noted that the accused is a first offender and is remorseful," she said.

Meanwhile, a man who stole two bottles of perfume and two hand bags from Tuskys Supermarket Bandari branch will serve two years in prison.

Michael Musembi pleaded guilty to stealing the items worth Sh4,600 from the supermarket on January 31. Musembi is alleged to have hidden the products in his trousers before he was detected by CCTV cameras. Ruguru said6 the accused did not seem remorseful for his action and needed a custodial sentence to act as deterrence.