By: Audrey Raymonda John
18yrs old Ishmael Turay, a Laborer, made another appearance before Magistrate Hadiru K Daboh of Ross Road Court No.3 in Freetown on two count charges to wit Conspiracy contrary to law and Store Breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence. On the 5th January 2023 at Bottom Mango Market Kissy in the western Area of Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit store breaking and larceny on count two at the same place and date.
The accused person with intent broke and entered into the store of Amara Bangura and stole therein, two cartoon chickens valued five hundred Leones property of the said complainant.
The charges were read and explained to the accused person and no plea was taken.
Police Constable 17720 Fofanah H Lead is prosecuting the matter.
Prosecution witness number one Sergeant 9529 Francess Lewis said she recognized the accused person in the dock and she knows the complainant in this matter. She said she is attached at the CID PWD police post Kissy Freetown.
She recalled on the 5th January 2023 whilst on duty a report was made against the accused person and the matter was allocated to her for investigation.
She obtained statement from the complainant, she later visited the scene of crime on the 6th January 2023 herself and Copral 12148 Kargbo S.B obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused person.
The witness said they went to the scene of crime she observed that the store was broken she use her Tecno POP4 mobile phone and took snap shot of the breakage store.
The photographs were tendered in court to form part of the court records on the 9th January 2023 herself and Copral 12148 Kargbo S.R obtained caution statement and Charge statement from the accused person.
The witness said the accused person was charged with the offence of conspiracy and store breaking and larceny the accused person made his statement in krio language which was written in English language.
The said statement was read and explained to the accused person.
He admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumb print witnessed by Copral 12148 S.B Kargbo.
She signed as the recorder, since then the statement was in the custody of the police, the statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The accused person was unrepresented and he did his cross examination by himself.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Daboh refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to the 7th February 2023.