By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown has sentenced 18-year-old fisherman Philip Elijah Mansaray to 12 months’ imprisonment for larceny and malicious damage.
Mansaray was sentenced on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, and malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
The court heard that on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Ehyor Beach Bar and Restaurant in Aberdeen, Freetown, Mansaray stole two sets of air-conditioner pipes valued at NLe 2,500 and assorted generator cables valued at NLe 3,000, bringing the total value to NLe 5,500. The items were reportedly the property of the management of Ehyor Beach Bar and Restaurant.
The second count alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Mansaray maliciously damaged the two sets of air-conditioner pipes and assorted generator cables, also valued at NLe 5,500.
When the charges were read and explained to him, Mansaray pleaded guilty as charged.
Police Constable 18235 Thoranka K.K., who prosecuted the matter, told the court that Mansaray was a first-time offender. The prosecution tendered his voluntary caution statement and voluntary statement in evidence, marked as Exhibits A1–A7 and B1–B3 respectively.
Mansaray was not legally represented. He pleaded with the court for mercy.
In his ruling, Magistrate Fornah took into consideration the fact that Mansaray was a first-time offender and had pleaded guilty to the charges.
The magistrate subsequently sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to 12 months in total, or a fine of NLe 2,000 payable to the State. The court ordered that the custodial sentence be served in full if he failed to pay the fine.
Magistrate Fornah also ordered that the exhibits be restored to the complainant pursuant to Section 56(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.