By Musa Paul Feika
Magistrate Wilbri Hamida Moira John, who presides over at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1, has yesterday adjourned a larceny matter to 11th May, 2021 for ruling. The ongoing matter involves an okada rider, Bella Jalloh, who is charged to court for stealing a TVS motorbike, with registration number ANU 728. The motorbike is valued at three million Leones (Le3,000,000).
The Larceny Act of Act 1916 says various offences, which include theft of animals or crop, killing of animals with intent to steal documents relating to land and will, must be charged to court. The offence of larceny is a misdemeanour that is punishable by law. The convicted person will be in prison no more than one year, and there could be a fine.
The offence, which is levied against Mr. Jalloh, is one of larceny. According to some schools of thought, larceny is when someone unlawfully takes or carries away someone else`s property without the consent of the owner. It is with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, like Mr. Jalloh.
When the charge was read to him by the Court Clerk, Mr. Blango, the accused did not waste the precious time of the court; he pleaded guilty.
“The complainant, Samson Koroma, was unavoidably absent, my lady,” police prosecutor told the bench.
The police prosecutor, Sergeant Monica Memunatu Turay, tendered both the voluntary caution statements of the accused to form part of the court`s records. However, the accused begged for mercy.
In response, Magistrate John adjourned the matter to 11th May, 2021 for judgement. The accused was sent to the Male Correctional Centre, Pademba Road in Freetown.
The fate of Mr. Jalloh now lies in the hands of Magistrate John.