By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
Justice Monfred Sesay of the High Court of the Republic of Sierra Leone has sentenced 24-year Ibrahim Sorie Bangura to eighteen months on two counts two store breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The convict was charged on two counts offences. Count one statement of offence pointed at Conspiracy to commit store breaking and Larceny, and count two statement of offence zoomed at store breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Details of the particulars of offence for count one provided that Ibrahim Sorie Bangura on the 18th October, 2022 conspired together with other persons unknown to commit store breaking and larceny. Whereas, the particulars of offence for count two defined that the accused person Ibrahim Sorie Bangura on the 18th October 2022 at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, broke and entered into the makeshift store of Mohamed Bangura who served as the complainant with intent to steal and stole sixty two pieces of iron rods valued Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Seventy New Leones (NLe 8,370), and Thirty bags of cement valued Four Thousand Eight Hundred Leones properties of Mohamed Bangura.
State Counsels Aruna Jalloh and Elizabeth Titi Jalloh ascribed to the particulars of offences on both counts; adding that the accused now convict broke the complainant makeshift store at the Western Area Rural of Freetown with other person named Abubakarr alias ‘Fancy’, but the accused was investigated and charged to court on conspiracy to commit store breaking and larceny.
Justice Monfred Sesay asked the accused person to convince the court having pleaded guilty and has been convicted.
Based on that, he accepted the two counts charges and pleaded for mercy to Justice Monfred Sesay. He told Justice Sesay that he has an old mother with his younger sisters to take care of. He told the court that this is his first mistake and he will not do same again. “I want to go back to the job I have learnt which is power saw operation,” Convict told Justice Monfred Sesay.
Defence Counsel, Randy Salieu Bangura pleaded on behalf of the convict for Justice Sesay to temper him mercy; emphasizing that he is a first time offender and he has a old mother and younger sisters to cater for. Randy Salieu Bangura Esq suggested for a sentence of one year. “My Lord a long custodian sentence will impede his future as he has a life and future ahead of him,” Defence Counsel revealed.
On the other hand, the State Counsels suggested for Justice Monfred to sentence the convict to five years imprisonment.
However, Justice Monfred Sesay passed a verdict and sentenced Ibrahim Sorie Bangura to eighteen months incarceration for count two, and discharged him on count one which is conspiracy to commit store breaking and larceny.