By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-eight-year-old Sulaiman Jabaty, a mastic designer, has been cautioned and discharged by Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 after pleading guilty to fraudulent conversion involving a mobile phone.
Jabaty was arraigned on one count of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Regent Police Post, Main Wilberforce Water Road, Regent Village, Mountain Rural District, Western Area, Freetown, Jabaty fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit a Tecno Spark 10 mobile phone valued at Le3, 500, which had been entrusted to him by Amara Conteh for safe keeping.
When the charge was read and explained to him, Jabaty pleaded guilty.
Prosecuting the matter, DPC 18456 Linda Teh told the court that Jabaty had no previous criminal record and was a first-time offender.
Jabaty was not legally represented. He pleaded with the court for mercy, asking the Magistrate to temper justice with mercy.
In his judgment, Magistrate Jah said that, having considered the accused’s plea in mitigation, the court was minded not to impose a custodial sentence, particularly because Jabaty was a first-time offender.
The Magistrate therefore cautioned and discharged Jabaty, urging him to turn over a new leaf and do something meaningful with his life.