By Audrey Raymonda John
Two men, David Kamara and Martin Lucious, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in connection with the theft of goods valued at over Le666,000 from Bicky’s Place Boutique on Liverpool Street, Freetown.
David Kamara, a former security guard at the boutique, faces eight counts of larceny by a servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916. He is accused of stealing various boutique items belonging to businesswoman Binta Tejan Kella* between May 1 and June 23, 2025.
Stolen items include: Assorted clothes valued at NLe 260,160, assorted shoes worth NLe 292,100, bags worth NLe 53,150, 12 glasses valued at NLe 10,200 and 13 purses totaling NLe 8,250
His co-accused, Martin Lucious, is charged with receiving stolen goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the same Act. He allegedly purchased the stolen items, including: 15 pairs of assorted sneakers valued at NLe 10,000
101 pairs of sandals worth NLe 50,500 and 61 pieces of ladies’ wear valued at NLe 22,265
In her testimony, Binta Tejan Kella explained that she first noticed missing inventory between May and June 2025. Despite confronting her staff, no one admitted responsibility until she involved Kamara’s mother. Following a meeting, Kamara allegedly confessed to the theft.
Kella reported the matter to CID Headquarters, where Kamara returned some of the stolen goods. These were submitted to the court as evidence. She later accompanied CID officers to Martin Lucious’s business premises, where she identified more of her stolen merchandise.
During cross-examination, defense counsel C.M.B. Amara posed further questions to the witness and requested an adjournment for continued cross-examination. He also applied for bail for the first accused, David Kamara.
However, Magistrate Jah refused bail for Kamara due to the serious nature of the offence, while allowing bail to continue for Lucious.
The matter was adjourned to July 25, 2025, for further hearing.