By: Audrey Raymonda John
Julian Jusu a twenty-one years old a Student made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.2 in Freetown on two count charges to wit Larceny Contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916 and Malicious Damage contrary to section 51 of the malicious damage Act of 1861.
According to the particulars of offence on Sunday 3rd November 2024 at Attaya base blue house, IMATT the mountain Rural District in the western area of Freetown did steal nine rolls 4 M.M.A.C cables and twelve rolls 2.5 M.M cables all to the total value of twenty five thousand three hundred and fifty Leones (25,350) property of the Attorney General and minister of justice Mr. Mohamed Lamin Tarawalie whilst in custody of Hassan Turay.
Count two further stated that on the same date and place the accused person maliciously damaged nine rolls 4 M.M.A.C cables and twelve rolls 2.5 M.M cables all to the total value of twenty five thousand three hundred and fifty Leones (25,350) property of the Attorney General and minister of justice Mr. Mohamed Lamin Tarawalie whilst in the custody of Hassan Turay.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused person he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor Detective Police Constable 18235 Thoronka K.K Led in with prosecution witness number three Foday Momoh Sesay who is DPC 19428 attached to the CID Hill Top Police Station, Mountain Division freetown recognized the accused person in the dock.
Momoh recalled that on the 3rd November, 2024, he was on duty when a report of larceny was reported to him by the complainant who brought the accused to him, adding that the matter was assigned to him after investigation.
He obtained statement from the complainant and his witness separately as they visited the scene of the crime, noting that the complainant identified Samsung Galaxy AOS Mobile phobe and snapped the scene. He tender the phone marked ” Exhibit A”. He also tender photographs marked ” Exhibit A1-4″.
Foday furthered that on the 4th November, 2024, he and DPC 18478 Conteh H. obtained a voluntary cautioned statement from the accused in krio which he read and explained the st ment also in krio and admitted to be true, pointing out that the accused signed the statement with his right hand thump print.
Sesay revealed that he signed the statement in the recorder, while DPC 18478 Conteh signed in the witness. He hereby produced and tender the said statement marked “Exhibit B1-5”.
He went on say that on the 8th November, 2024, he and DPC 18478
Conteh H charged the accused with the attached Larceny and Malicious damage as they applied the same procedure used in his cautioned statement. He hereby tendered the said charged statement marked “Exhibit CI- 2”. That is all.
The prosecution witness was cross examined by Samuel L . Lewis Esq who applied for bail for the accused is a Sierra Leoneans resident here in freetown and he is a first time offender. He added that he is a student and has reliable sureties who are ready to arraign themselves whenever called upon.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused to the male correctional center in Freetown. The case was adjourned to the 21st of January, 2025, for further proceedings.