By: Audrey Raymonda John
Abu Bakar Bangura, 38, has been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment on each of two counts of larceny and malicious damage by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, over an air conditioner and its pipes valued at NLe43, 000.
The convict was arraigned on one count of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916, and one count of malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Lapoonda Complex, Cape Road, Aberdeen, Freetown, Bangura stole an air conditioner and its pipes valued at NLe43, 000, belonging to James Michel Bangura. He was also charged with maliciously damaging the property.
When the charges were read and explained to him in court, Bangura pleaded guilty to both counts. The prosecution informed the court that he was a first-time offender.
In his plea for mercy, Bangura appealed to the magistrate to temper justice with mercy.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Fornah considered the convict’s plea for leniency and his status as a first-time offender. However, the court also took into account the value of the property involved and the loss suffered by the complainant.
On count one, the magistrate sentenced Bangura to 24 months’ imprisonment, with the alternative of paying NLe43, 000 in compensation to the complainant or replacing the stolen air conditioner with one of the same type.
On count two, he was also sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, with the alternative of restoring an air conditioner of the same type or paying NLe43, 000 to the complainant.
The court ordered that both sentences run concurrently, effective from the date the matter was first brought before the court.
The magistrate further ordered that the exhibits be restored to the complainant pursuant to Section 560 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024.