James Matthew, an 18-year-old mechanic, was found guilty and given a three-month prison term by an Area Court in Jos on Monday for stealing a car battery worth N15,000.
After Matthew admitted guilt to the charge that had been brought against him, magistrates Sadiq Adam and Hyacinth Dolnaan unanimously passed judgement on him.
Matthew pleaded the judge for clemency, and the magistrates offered him the option of paying a fine of N10,000.
Earlier, Insp. Monday Dabit, the prosecution's attorney, informed the court that one Daflok Maknop reported the case to the "A" Division Police Station on May 5th.
He said that the prisoner smashed the door on his car, cracked open the hood, and stole the battery.
The prosecutor also told the court that during a police investigation, the accused confessed to having stolen the car battery.
The offence, he said, contravened the Section 272 of the Plateau State Penal Code, Law of Northern Nigeria.