Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Kolifa Rowala Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, 8th July, 2021: The Resident High Court Judge in Makeni, Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara (J) who’s presiding over cases in the ongoing High Court Criminal Session in Magburuka Town, Northern Sierra Leone has today sentenced 32-year-old Abdul Brima Sesay, a gold miner, to 10 years imprisonment in Penal Servitude for sexually penetrating a 14-year-age girl.
The convict, Abdul Brima Sesay was before the court on a one count indictment of Sexual Penetration of a Child Contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act by Person in Trust, Contrary to Section 25 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2012 Act No 12 of 2012, as repealed and replaced by section 4 (a) (11) of the Sexual Offences (amendment) Act of 2019 Act No.8 of 2019.
Hon. Justice Kamara granted the Trial by Judge alone Application made by State Counsel, A.Y. Mansaray, after the accused denied the allegation upon his arraignment.
The particulars of offence states that the accused on the 8th day of February 2021 at Nerekoroh Village, Simiria Chiefdom Tonkolili District in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone engaged in an act of sexual penetration with Isha Bundu ( not real name).
The Prosecution, during the course of the trial led in evidence six witnesses including the investigator Alusine Kamara, one Dr. John Fallah Yillia and tendered three depositional statements.
The Prosecution’s case hinges on the allegation that the accused on the 8th of February 2021, at Nerekoroh Village, entered into the room of the victim at night, inserted a cloth in the mouth of the victim to prevent her from shouting, removed her clothes and underwear and sexually penetrated her.
The medical report revealed that there were abrasions on the posterior wall of the vagina of the victim with a hymen that was perforated.
The accused at the end of the Prosecution’s case relied on his statement to the police in which he denied the allegation and told the police that he was a school teacher and lived in the same compound with the victim.
After a thorough examination of the totality of the evidence before the court, Hon. Justice Kamara said that he was convinced that the Prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore found the accused guilty of the offence.
In his plea in mitigation, Lawyer from Legal Aid Board-Ibrahim Samba, told the Court that the convict (Abdul Brima Sesay) is a first time offender and a family man with two children.
The convict in his allocutus also pleaded for mercy.
Delivering his judgement, Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment in Penal Servitude.
The June High Court Criminal Sessions continue in Tonkolili District with cases ranging from murder, manslaughter, sexual penetration, larceny, wounding with intent among others.
The High Court Criminal sessions are being funded by the Judiciary with funds from the Government of Sierra Leone and aimed at taking justice closer to the people.
For more information, contact the Judiciary Communications on +23234617548, +23276321184, +23279101086
