By: Audrey Raymonda John
Hawa Mansaray yesterday appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in for allegedly biting her neighbour’s finger thereby causing her grievous bodily harm.
The accused was arrested on 6 May 2023 by Police Constable (PC) Kargbo K.M.
The accused who was residing at No. 88 Peace Market in Freetown appeared before the court on a count of of causing grievous bodily harm contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Persons Act of 1861.
It was alleged that the accused, on Tuesday 2nd May 2023 at Peace Market Kissy, in Freetown, assaulted Isatu Sheriff in a manner thereby causing her grievous bodily harm.
Prosecution witness (PW)1, Isatu Sheriff residing at Bai Bureh Road in n Freetown said she recognised the accused as her neighbour and could recall the day in question.
The witness said the day in question, she was home eating when a lady called Mahawa, arrived at home and information about the accused.
Madam Sheriff furthered that upon receipt of the information, she instantly left for the crime scene at Peace Market Kissy in Freetown, disclosing that upon her arrival, she saw the accused and her daughter, Fanta Kamara abusing each other.
The witness continued that she advised her daughter to leave the crime scene, noting that upon the advice, the accused made a statement saying she didn’t want Fanta, but her mother.
She said the accused started abusing her and her daughter to an extent that she pointed her finger on her forehead
PW1 said she felt so bad because she can be her daughter.
The witness said she cautioned the accused to stop pointing finger at her promising that she will not take it lightly with her.
Madam Sheriff said she collapsed at the time accused person bite her finger, at the same time the accused started beating her with a stick, while onlookers were saying “that she had killed me.”
She told bench that her daughter wanted to retaliate, but she cautioned her not to do such.
The witness said that she reported the matter to the P.W.D Police Post Ferry Junction in Freetown, where she was issued with a police medical request form for treatment at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown.
She said on the same day, the doctor performed an X-ray on her hand, and returned the endorsed medical paper to the said police post.
The endorsed medical paper was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
She concluded that she made a statement to the above-mentioned police post.
During cross examination by defence Counsel M.A. Kamara put it to the witness that she went to the crime scene, she met the accused and her daughter Fanta Kamara fighting. Responding, she said ‘no’.
Lawyer Kamara further suggested to her that the accused was passing when she grabbed her, to which she responded in the negative.
Mr Kamara confronted her again that when she arrived at the crime scene, she directly went to her daughter, to which she responded in the affirmative.
Lawyer Kamara put it to her that all what she narrated to the police is quite different from what she told the court.
In response, she said all what she told the court is the same to what she told the police.
In addendum, lawyer Kamara pleaded with the bench to review the conditions being granted to the accused, especially the one that demanding NASSIT card and elderly citizen.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura admitted that he granted simple bail to the accused, assuring that he will not bend backwards.
Magistrate Kekura assured that he can’t only bend backwards if the one of the sureties furnish the court with NASSIT card.
The accused is still on bail and the matter was adjourned to Wednesday 24th May 2023 for further hearing.