By Mamajah Jalloh
In an ongoing fraud matter case, Chobby Williams, a business man, Thursday, 12th December 2024, made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on a count of Shop Breaking and Larceny contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Saturday 10th August 2024 at 29 Chapel Street the Western Area in Freetown, the accused broke and entered into the shop of Iye Kamara and stole therein the sum of eighteen thousand Leones and seven hundred United States dollars, all to the total value of Thirty-four thousand, eight hundred Leones (34,800), properties of the said Iye Kamara.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, no plea was taken,
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh led in Prosecution witness number 2, Inspector B.A Munu attached to the Criminal Investigation Department- Western Police Station, recognized the accused in the dock and the complainant in the matter.
He said he recalled on the 10th August 2024 whilst on duty at his office when the complainant made a report of shop breaking and larceny.
Munu went on to say that he took up the investigation and visited the crime scene; and at the scene, took photographs, observed a CCTV footage, which shows footage of the incident, and downloaded the footage into flash drive, and treated it as exhibit, adding that he handed the flash drive to the clerk for an exhibit and obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses.
He revealed that on September 16th 2024, himself together with DPC 19789 Kondunoh M.T, contemporaneously interviewed the accused person in the dock in krio, which was recorded in English’ and at the conclusion of the statement, it was read over and explained to the accused person in krio, the accused admitting it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witnessed by DPC 19789; and he signed as the recorder
He furthered that on the 27th September 2024, himself together with the said investigator, charged the accused person with the offence he is standing trial for based on the statement of the accused person and the CCTV footage which was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The accused person was not legally represented; and he cross examined the witness.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to the 17th of December2024.
