By Henry Kargbo
Businessman Victim Randolf John on Wednesday 29 June told the court that he was attacked by armed robbers, who allegedly shot him in his left knee in front of his house.
He told the court, presided over by Justice Monfred Sesay at high court No 1 that he trembled and urinated on himself when he was attacked by an alleged armed robber.
The complainant Randolf John, marked as PW2, when testifying in court, said that he recognised the accused person Mohamed Kamara and recalled 26 May 2021.
He said that on that day, he was coming from a cinema and upon arrival at his residence, 12 Hillside Drive, Leicester Road, he entered into his compound and packed his vehicle and then he heard a loud sound. “When I opened the door of my vehicle, I heard a gunshot and I later saw the accused in front of me saying that they were there for me; so I should drop my bag containing my money. And the accused fired the third shot in the air with a black pistol,” the victim told the court.
He said that after the gunshots “I started shivering and urinating on myself”.
PW2 said that after the accused had taken his phone bag containing his money, the accused signaled and called his colleagues and handed over the bag to them that I realised that he was not alone.
He told the court the accused further asked him to remove his jewelleries from his body, but he refused and the accused shot him in his left foot.
He said that after the accused had shot him, he felt serious pain and went closer to the gate where some guys outside the compound saw him, adding that the accused further took his gold chains and he was trying to remove his gold rings when one of his colleagues told him that time was against them and he went to his motorbike and went away.
He said that after the accused had left the compound, some guys took him to Connaught Hospital for treatment and he was at Connaught when his friend informed him that they had arrested the accused and had been taken to Ross Road Police Station.
He said that upon receipt of the information, he pleaded with the nurse to release him so he could go to the station to see his attackers and he was released with pain.
He told the court that upon arrival at the station, they told him that accused has been taken to hospital for treatment because he sustain injuries on injuries on his head, so he went back to the hospital and continue his treatment.
PW2 said he later made statement to the Ross Road police station.
Second Prosecution Witness, Detective Sergeant Issa Kamara also testifying in court stated that he attached to the Exhibit Office at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters as exhibit clerk.
He said he recalled 20 June 2021 and on that day he was on duty at the said station, when Detective Inspector Kabbia R. attached to the Major Incident Unit, CID headquarters handed over to him one black compact pistol, two live round bullets, three empty bullet shells, one old Kg10 mobile phone and one old blue unregistered motorbike.
He said the exhibits were registered in the exhibit book with serial number 120/2021 and they were in police custody.
The exhibits were identified by the witness and they were later tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
The accused person Mohamed Kamara was before the court on three counts of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation and wounding contrary to law.
According to the offences, the accused on 26 May 2021, at Hillside Drive, Leicester Road in Freetown conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit robbery with aggravation.
The accused on the same date and place being armed with a gun robbed Randolf John of his properties worth Le576,580,000, and after such a robbery he wounded the complainant with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.
After their testimonies, they were cross-examined by Lawyer R.S Bangura from Legal Aid Board on behalf of the accused person.
Justice Sesay however remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till Wednesday 6 July 2022.
