By: Audrey Raymonda John
A formal witness attached to the Cyber Unit at the Ross Road Police Station Harbour Division in Freetown has testified before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in the ongoing larceny matter.
Amidu Turay was charged with house breaking and larceny contrary to law.
The accused was arrested on 15th June 2023 by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 15095 Sesay P.L and appeared before the court for the offence larceny dwelling contrary to section 13(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
It was alleged that Amidu Turay , on Sunday 11th June 2023 at No.35 Upper Savage Square, in Freetown, stole a Samsung Galaxy A12 valued at three thousand leones (NLe 3,000) belonging to Patricia Yommie Newland.
Formal witness attached the Rose Road Police Station said he recognised the accused and could recall on Sunday 11th June 2023.
He said on that fateful day, he was on duty at the Cyber Unit at the aforesaid Division in Freetown, when the complainant reported a case against the accused, adding that upon the receipt of the report, the matter was assigned to him for further investigation.
The witness on the same date, he obtained statements from the complaint and her witnesses, adding that he and the complainant left for the crime scene at 35 Upper Savage Square, in Freetown.
He said upon their arrival, he observed that the complainant lives at upstairs in a two store building, the house was not fenced, and noticed that the complainant placed his phone Tecno Spark 5 mobile phone at the railing of the window and took photographs of the scene with his android mobile phone which were developed into pictures.
The pictures were produced and tendered marked exhibits B.
On 10th June he said while at the said unit with the help of Amidu Turay arrested and brought in the accused at the station, adding that he and DPC 17994 Kabia A obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused, which he admitted to it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint. He said the statement was witnessed by Detective Police Constable 17994 Kabia A
The accused’s voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
The witness said on 15th June 2023 he charged the accused with the offence of larceny dwelling house.
The charge statement was produced and tendered in evidence.
Though the accused was not legally represented, Magistrate Kekura accorded him an opportunity to cross examine the witness.
Responding, the accused told the court that he had no questions for the witness.
The accused was granted fifty thousand leones (NL 50,000) bail with a surety in like sum, the surety should reside in Freetown and produced ID card.
Bail should be approved by the Deputy Master.
The matter was adjourned to 22nd August 2023 for further hearing.