By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two young men, Abdul Rahman Cole (21), a painter, and Santigie Kanu (18), a labourer, have been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment each by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two counts of conspiracy and malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, on 5 December 2025, at Murray Town in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused persons allegedly conspired together, along with others unknown, to commit malicious damage.
The prosecution further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, the accused persons willfully damaged assorted boat engine cables and rubber pipes valued at US$80,000 (approximately Le 189,600), property belonging to Osman Sow.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, both pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa, informed the court that the accused persons had no previous criminal records and were first-time offenders.
In mitigation, both defendants pleaded for mercy, urging the magistrate to temper justice with leniency.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Fornah stated that he had considered the fact that the defendants were first-time offenders, as well as their pleas for mercy. He therefore sentenced each of them to 12 months’ imprisonment, to run from the date of their arrest and including time already spent in detention. The sentences are to run concurrently.