June 6, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura
Thirty one years old Manfred Cole alias Jyn, has been granted bail in the sum of one hundred million Leones, three sureties in like sum and sureties must produce one title deed each.
Manfred Cole was arraigned before Magistrate Dr. Abou Bakar Binneh-Kamara of court No. 1 on allegation of sexual penetration contrary to Section 19 of Sexual Offence Act No. 12 of 2012.
The prosecution had alleged that the accused on Sunday 4th March, 2017, at Bowen Street, Wellington, sexually penetrated a girl under age eighteen to wit seven years old.
Testifying before the court, Detective Police Constable 13118 Kamara A. B, attached to Family Support Unit at Congo water, recognised the accused and the victim.
He recalled the day of the incident as he was on duty, when one Isata Kamara reported a matter of sexual penetration on behalf of the victim.
DPC 13118 Kamara A. B. said he then issued a medical request to the victim’s mother, who later returned the endorsed medical form and on 5th March, 2017, he cautioned and questioned the accused in krio.
He continued that on 25th April, 2017, the accused was charged with the offence of sexual penetration.
Defence Lawyer Saquee Kamanda made an application for bail, stating that it was the discretion of the Magistrate, whether to grant the accused bail or not.
He said the accused had reliable sureties who would produce him when needed by the court.
Sergeant 549 Marie Sesay objected to bail, considering the age of the victim. However, the accused was granted bail and the matter was committed to High Court of Justice for further trail.