By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Twenty-three year old Alhaji Sawaneh, a Fisherman, is standing trial before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at the Sexual Offences Court No.7 at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, on a count charge of sexual penetration, contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No.12 of 2012 as repealed, and replaced by Section 4 (a) (ii) of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2019, Act No.8 of 2019.
According to the particulars of offense, on the 19th July, 2023 in Freetown, the accused engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child below 18 years.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded guilty. He was not legally represented so he pleaded with the Judge to temper justice with mercy on his behalf.
Justice Stevens said his action was an act of wickedness, to penetrate a four-year old child. He said. The accused should have instead been the one advising the victim, rather than him indulging in perpetrating the crime with the child. He said the accused is a young man who requires more education and advice about being decent in society and one who requires more technical training in his fishing skill. “You will have to go and learn more about fishing at the Correctional Facility,” he stated, and slammed him ten years imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility.
The Judge said in passing his sentence, he took into consideration the accused person’s plea mitigation and because he did not waste the time of the court.