By: Audrey Raymonda John
Batharm Caulker made another appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on a charge of Fraudulent Conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(IV)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
It is alleged that Caulker, on a date unknown but after 1 February 2025, fraudulently converted property belonging to Alimamy Kargbo at Levuma Beach.
When the charge was read and explained, the defendant did not enter a plea and was unrepresented in court.
Inspector Kadie Taylor led the prosecution, calling Detective Inspector Silvernous Sandi of the Criminal Investigating Department, Lumley Police Station, as a witness. DI Sandi recounted that on 15 October 2025, the complainant reported the alleged fraudulent conversion, and the supervising officer, Inspector Hassan Conteh, assigned him to investigate.
DI Sandi and his colleague Commeh A obtained voluntary caution statements from both the complainant and the defendant. The defendant’s statement was taken in Krio, translated into English, and read back to him in Krio. He acknowledged it as true and correct by appending his right-hand thumbprint. The statement was produced and tendered in court.
On 25 October 2025, the defendant was formally charged with fraudulent conversion, and the statements were similarly produced and admitted as evidence. During proceedings, the defendant cross-examined the witness.
The prosecution applied for a no-case submission. Magistrate Jah granted bail to Caulker in the sum of Le 200, with two sureties, both required to be residents within the jurisdiction and provide valid national identity cards. The sureties are jointly and severally responsible for ensuring the defendant attends all court proceedings. The matter has been adjourned to 3 December 2025 for the ruling