Freetown Businessman Sentenced to 18 Months for $300 Theft

A 41-year-old Freetown businessman, Mohamed Kargbo, has been reportedly sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing US$300 from a complainant.

Kargbo appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, where he admitted the charge of larceny.

The court heard that on September 7, 2026, at Model New Road Ataya Base in Freetown, Kargbo unlawfully took US$300 belonging to the complainant. The amount was valued at Le7,200 in the court records.

After the charge was read and explained to him, Kargbo entered a guilty plea. Prosecutor Police Constable H. M. Foray tendered his voluntary caution statement and charge statement as exhibits A1-6 and B1-2.

The prosecution informed the court that Kargbo was a first-time offender.

In mitigation, Kargbo pleaded for mercy, asking the court to consider a lenient sentence. He expressed remorse for his actions and appealed to the magistrate to temper justice with mercy.

In his ruling, Magistrate Fornah said he had considered Kargbo’s status as a first-time offender, his plea for mercy and the circumstances of the offence.

The magistrate subsequently sentenced Kargbo to 18 months imprisonment, with an alternative order requiring him to repay the stolen US$300, or its equivalent of Le7,200, to the complainant.

The court ordered that Kargbo would serve the custodial sentence if he failed to comply with the repayment condition.