By: Audrey Raymonda John
26 years old Patrick Koroma a Mason made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.3 in Freetown on a count of Fraudulent conversion Contrary to Section 29 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on Monday 9th October 2023 at No.2 river village the western area in Freetown fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say forty five lengths of iron rods and six bags of cement all to the total sum nine thousand two hundred and seventy Leones (Le 9,270) entrusted to him by Sahr Joseph Mark Thorlie for the purpose of safe keeping.
Sergeant 9155 Dwight Macarthy led first Prosecution witness (PW1) Assistant Superintendent of police Sahr Joseph Mark Thorlie attached as DTO Adonkia police station. The witness said he recognized the accused person as his caretaker and that on the 27th September 2023 he bought one ton iron rods which he used thirty one full lengths iron rods for the construction of his building at Timbo drive No.2 peninsular Road.
The witness said the remaining fifty five lengths iron rods for the said building the witness said he brought the material from T’mans construction company and that he was in a meeting when he received a call from his contractor informed him about the missing iron rods and cement.
PW1 said upon receiving the information he went to the said site to his surprise there was no material in the site he tried to call the accused person but he was nowhere to be seen.
He continues that in the evening hours he received a call from his neighbor informing him that the accused person is around and upon that he went to the site with police officers and the accused person was arrested as he later made statement to the police.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown and matter was adjourned to the 3rd November 2023 for further hearing.
