By Audrey Raymonda John
In a recent development at Pademba Road Court No. 6 in Freetown, two individuals, thirty-year-old Mohamed Sillah and forty-one-year-old Amara Harding, stood before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra facing charges of larceny and receiving stolen goods.
The charges, according to Section 2 and Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, allege that the accused were involved in stealing and receiving stolen property.
The prosecution detailed the offenses, stating that between December 2023 and January 8, 2024, at No. 18 Sani Abacha Street in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused stole twenty-five assorted big rubber chairs valued at one hundred and seventy Leones each, along with ten assorted small rubber chairs valued at fifty Leones each, totaling four thousand seven hundred and fifty Leones. Additionally, the second accused, Harding, is accused of receiving two brown big rubber chairs valued at one hundred and seventy Leones each, totaling three hundred and forty Leones, on January 5, 2024, also at Sani Abacha Street, knowing them to be stolen property belonging to Elizabeth Kainessie.
Both Sillah and Harding pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read and explained to them. Despite lacking legal representation, they appealed to the court for leniency, requesting mercy.
Prosecution witness Sergeant 9405 Mohamed Fofanah testified, identifying the accused and recounting that on January 17, 2024, while on duty at the Central Police Station exhibit office, he received two old rubber chairs from Corporal 12034 Fatu D for registration and safekeeping. Fofanah registered the items in the court exhibit book under serial number 4/2024, and they remained in police custody since then. The said exhibit was presented in court as evidence.
The prosecutor noted the absence of prior records against the accused. Taking into consideration the plea and mitigation by the accused, Magistrate Gogra sentenced both individuals to one month of imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. Additionally, the exhibit was ordered to be returned to the complainant.
This verdict marks a significant moment in the legal proceedings against the accused, highlighting the importance of justice and accountability within the community.
