By Hassanatu I. Conteh
A 24-year-old mason, Abu Bakarr Marrah, has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh of Pademba Road Court No. 5 found him guilty of larceny involving ten cartons of 60×60 tiles valued at Le5,500.
The accused, Marrah, was arraigned before the court on two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, Marrah, on Tuesday, 29th September 2026, at the Back of Old School, Hill Station, in the Mountain Rural District, Western Area of Sierra Leone, allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to commit a crime.
The prosecution further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, he stole ten cartons of 60×60 tiles, each valued at Le550, bringing the total value to Le5,500. The tiles were said to be the property of Hassan Tarawallie.During the trial, after the prosecution closed its case, Marrah elected to rely on his statement made at the police station.
In his statement, the accused admitted being in possession of the stolen tiles and further admitted that he intended to sell them when he was caught.
The court also heard evidence from prosecution witnesses that cartons of tiles were recovered from the accused’s house. However, the recovered tiles were never produced as exhibits before the court.
In her judgment, Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh said the prosecution had successfully proved the charge of larceny but failed to establish the charge of conspiracy.
Consequently, Marrah was found not guilty on the conspiracy charge but guilty of larceny.
He was subsequently sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.