By Musa Paul Feika
Chernor Sesay is standing trial at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1, which is presided over by Magistrate Hannah Bonnie, for allegedly wounding the complainant, Mende Sesay, in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm, an offence which is contrary to law.
The police prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant 2643 Charlesteenal Juliet Barrie, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Aberdeen Police Division in Freetown, told the court that she recognized the accused as well as the complainant, Mendi Sesay, and could recall Thursday 28th May, 2020.
According to Madam Barrie, on that fateful day, she was on duty at the Aberdeen Police Division in Freetown, when the complainant, assisted by one Lamin Dumbuya, who is a naval officer of the Republic of Sierra Armed Forces (SLRAF), apprehended and brought the accused into the said unit and reported a case of wounding.
The witness recounted that she saw blood oozing from the accused’s nostrils, adding that she issued the complainant with a police medical request form for treatment. Madam Barrie told the court that, upon returning the endorsed medical paper to the aforesaid Division, she obtained statements from the complainant and his witnesses, respectively.
When the witness attempted to produce and tender the endorsed medical paper to form part of the court`s records, the defense counsel, Lawyer Timbo, raised an objection on the basis that the witness was not the proper and fit person to tender same.
The police prosecutor, Inspector D.A. Taylor, in response, stated that the objection raised by the defense counsel was not in place, noting that the witness stated earlier that she was only in custody of the document.
After argument and counter arguments, the medical paper was produced and tendered to form part of the case file.
On the 28th May, 2020, the witness said herself and Detective Sergeant 15002 Ngbai obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused, adding that, at the end of the statement, the accused admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint, which was witnessed by Detective Sergeant.
Madam Barrie concluded her testimony, stating that she later transferred the matter to Lumley Police Division for further investigation.
During the cross examination by Lawyer Timbo, he put it to the witness that the accused denied the allegation. In reply, Madam Barrie said yes.
He further put to the witness that whether, throughout her investigation, she discovered that the complainant and the accused were not in good terms before the alleged incident occurred. Madam Barrie said yes.
Lawyer Timbo eventually renewed his application for bail on behalf of the accused, but bail was vehemently refused bail and the accused was sent on remanded at the Male Correctional Centre, Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 30th October, 2020.