By Audrey Raymonda John
A thirty-one-year-old male, Festus Thomas, who was arrested 11th August 2023 by Detective Police Constable DPC 14109 Sesay I. J has appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 for allegedly breaking into Theresa Grace Masuba’s house and stealing therein microwave two big pots and other kitchen’s utensils valued at NLe1,950.
The accused was arraigned before the court on two counts charges, one for store breaking and two for larceny which is contrary to section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1965.
It was alleged that the accused , on Thursday 10th August 2023 at Grandille Lane in Kissy Brook , Freetown, entered into the complainant’s kitchen and stole therefrom a microwave, two big pots and other kitchen utensils worth NLe1,950.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman M. Bangura prosecution (PW)1, Theresa Mansuba who’s residing at Kissy Brook, in Freetown and is working for the Ministry of Social Welfare as Social Service Officer said she recognized the accused as her neighbour.
She said on Thursday 10th August 2023, when she woke up from sleep and opened her kitchen door, she discovered that her kitchen roof was damaged and that the ceiling was cut off.
She said she discovered that the kitchen was ransacked and that her microwave, two big pots, plus other things: aluminum-mortar and other kitchen utensils, all worth at NLe1,950.
She said she called upon her landlady, Matta Taylor and other neighbours and narrated the incident to them.
And she later reported the matter to the Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division in Freetown.
Madam Masuba furthered stated that she and a team of police officers left for the crime scene and upon their arrival, they took photographs of the scene.
She concluded by noting that at Ross Road Police Station she identified the accused to the police.
She said the accused was arrested by his aunt and was taken to Ross Road Police Station.
‘’In my presence when the police interrogated the accused regarding the allegations, he admitted of stealing the items. The accused led us to a shop at Racecourse Road in Freetown where he allegedly sole the stolen items. And when a search was conducted at the said shop, but nothing of the police interest was discovered, in other words none of the stolen items were seen in that shop, as Madam Masuba concluded her evidence,”
The accused was unrepresented, and was given a chance to talk by magistrate Sahr Kekura and the witness was cross examined.
Responding to the accusations, the accused told the court that he had no questions for the witness and therefore pleaded for mercy.
The accused was denied bail and ordered to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to the 5th of October 2023