March 15, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
Honorable Justice Emmanuala I.J. Harding in the Modern Sexual Penetration Court in Freetown has on Friday, 12thMarch, slammed fifteen years jail sentence to one Ibrahim Tarawally for sexually penetrating a 10 yrs old girl.
Before passing the verdict, the Judge said that the Prosecution has proven their case beyond all reasonable doubt against the accused person.
Addressing counsels, members of the fourth estate and litigants, Honorable Justice Emmanuala I.J. Harding said the accused was charged on one count charge of sexually penetration of a girl under the age of consent contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
She said to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt, the prosecution led by O.V.Robin Mason Jnr., presented four witnesses, including the Rainbow Centre medical practitioner, Dr. Claudius Cole who also testified in the matter.
The defendant lawyer I.S. Bangura from the Legal Aid Board of Sierra Leone filed in an application for additional witnesses to form part of the trial. Earlier to the commencement of the trial, the defense Lawyer filed in an application for the trial to be done by Judge alone and not by Judge and Jury.
In responding to the Judgment before the court, Defense Lawyer expressed his appreciation to the Judge for her endless efforts she has put in the trial, state he accepts the verdict even as this is not what they had wished for.
However, he pleaded that his client is a family a father of two and a bread winner. He also revealed to the bench that his client is a widower who lost his precious wife while he was in custody. In a solemn voice defense Lawyer told the Judge that his client could not bury his wife and his children are below the age of 10 years.
The defense counsel further stated that the convict was a potter at Cottage Hospital and that he is praying for the bench to temper Justice with mercy.
Defense Counsel concluded that the convict is a first time offender, and he has no criminal records. He added that his client has been of good conduct throughout this trial and has promised not to come in conflict with the law.
Responding to the Defense Counsel, Justice Harding said the victim will be experiencing psychological, social, emotional and medical effects throughout her life. The judge sentence the accused person for fifteen years imprisonment.
It was alleged that on 10th August, 2020, at Mount Aureole, the accused person sexually assaulted a 10 yrs old girl. The accused person was arraigned on sexual penetration contrary to section 19 of the Sexual Offenses Act No. 12 0f 2012.