Lagos – For pleading guilty to breaking into a church twice and stealing offering of about N51, 000, a 24-year-old man, Larry Osiobugie, is to cool his feet in a Lagos prison pending judgment.

An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court ruled that since the accused had admitted guilt he should be kept behind bars till when judgment would be given.

Magistrate H. O. Amos fixed June 13 for facts and sentencing.

The accused, Osiobugie, had pleaded guilty to a five-count charge bordering on burglary and stealing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt.Tubi Olajide, told the court that the accused committed the offences on two separate occasions.

According to him, the accused had on March 30 broken into Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos, and stole N10, 000 from the offertory box.

He said the accused also broke into the same church on May 30 and stole N41, 000, totalling N51, 000.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 309 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

NAN also reports that Section 285 provides a penalty of three years imprisonment, while Section 309 stipulates a seven-year jail term for offenders.