Justice Aiah Simeon Alieu, the presiding judge at the ongoing Criminal Session of the High Court holden in Magburaka, Tonkolili District, has sentenced Gbessay Turay to twenty years imprisonment for unlawfully killing seventy-one year old Issa Kallon and Nonkoh Turay and another twelve (12) years imprisonment for wounding Joseph Marrah with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.
According to the particulars of offence, Gbessay Turay, on the 14th day of September, 2019, at Ropolon area, Kholifa Rowalla Chiefdom, Magburaka Town, Tonkolili District in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, unlawfully killed seventy year old Issa Kallon.
The Judge said the killing was without intent to kill or to cause grievous bodily harm but still unlawfully took the life of a being. He said that the accused was charged with manslaughter, which is contrary to law. The said offence attracts life imprisonment.
However, the learned Judge, in his wisdom, considered the circumstances under which the offense was committed, supported by the plea of mitigation by defence counsel, Mohamed Korrie Esq., and Ibrahim Samba Esq., he decided to sentence the accused to a term of twenty years imprisonment.
In another matter, Justice Aiah Simeon Alieu sentenced Nonkoh Turay to twelve (12) years and Hassan Thullah to ten (10) years imprisonment, respectively, after they have been convicted for wounding with intent, which is contrary to Section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act of 1861.
The prosecuting lawyer, Aruna Jalloh Esq., proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the convict wounded Joseph Marrah with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The same offered no evidence on count two, which is assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which is contrary to Section 47 of the Offenses against the Person Act of 1861 and was therefore discharged.
Giving out sentences on the aforementioned accused, Justice Aiah Simeon Aliue said the essence of criminal justice is to ensure that wrongdoers are punished for crimes they have committed; and to ensure that people are at peace in their respective communities.