By: Audrey Raymonda John
49yrs old Lawrence Renner a Masoner made another appearance before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra of Pademba road court No.6 in Freetown on one count charge to wit Fraudulent conversion Contrary to Section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence Sometimes in the month of September 2022 at Bayoh drive off Sir Samuel Lewis Road the western area in Freetown Fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say Seven imported doors, twelve bags of cement, six bags of broken tiles, one slid window frame all to the total value of thirty eight thousand four hundred and twenty Leones(38,420) entrusted to him by Sylvanus Pratt for the purpose of safe keeping property of the said complainant.
The charge was read and explained to the accused person and No plea was taken.
Inspector Musu Edna Kpulun lead Prosecution witness number one Sylvanus Pratt a Civil servant said he recognized the accused person they came from the same village and he was his caretaker.
He recalled on the above date he was not at home something transpired between himself and the accused person the accused person told him to assist him to be his caretaker because he is not on Job.
The witness said he employed the accused person at his site at Bayoh drive Freetown where he took building materials to the said site the items include seven doors, twelve bags of cement, one steel window frame, broken tiles which was kept in a bag.
The witness said he entrusted the said items to the accused person.
The witness said he visited the site the accused person was not present at the said site, he requested for the keys of the store when he opened and entered the store he discovered that the said item had got missing.
He went to Congo Cross police station where he made statement and the accused person was arrested.
The accused person is unrepresented by a legal representative.
Meanwhile Magistrate Gogra granted the accused person bail in the sum of fifty million Leones with two sureties in like sum.
Sureties to be resident in the western area sureties to produce valid identity cards.
One surety to be employed.
Bail to be approved by the Bench.
The matter is adjourned to the 6th March 2023.