February 22, 2019
By Yusufu S. Bangura
One Abdul Noah, 57, a painter, was yesterday (Wednesday 20th February) remanded at the Male Correctional Centre for allegedly penetrating a 3-year-old girl.
The accused was before Magistrate Abdul Sheriff on one count of Sexual Penetration of a child contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offense Act No.12 of 2012.
Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent, Moses Moore, alleges that the accused person on Tuesday 15th, January 2019, at No.80 Freetown Road Lumley, Freetown, sexually penetrated a child below the age of 18 to wit 3 years old.
Testifying in court, eight years old witness identified the accused as co-tenant and the victim as her younger sibling.
He recalled on the day of the alleged incident.
He said on day of the incident, he was playing football with his friends around 2pm when the accused asked him to take the victim to him whilst he was in his bedroom
The witness said after he had handed over the victim to the accused, the alleged perpetrator then sent him to purchase biscuit and cigarette.
He told the court that the when he attempted to collect the victim, the accused forcefully closed the door against him, adding that he went to his elder sister and reported the matter.
He further that his elder sister went to the house of the accused took the victim and reported the matter to the Lumley police station.
Defense counsel applied for bail on behalf of his client, noting that the latter has reliable sorties that would stand in his recognizance, and that if granted bail, he would not jump it or interfere with witnesses.
However, prosecution objected to bail, comparing the age of the accused to that of the victim.
He told the Bench that there is a likely hood that the accused would interfere with the witnesses because they stay under the same roof.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Sheriff remanded the accused and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 27th February.