Justice Costmotine Jarrett of the High Court of Sierra Leone has sentenced 14-year-old Abdulai Sankoh (a pseudonym) to 10 years in prison for manslaughter

The case initially began as a murder charge related to the death of Abdul Gbassay Kargbo on October 15, 2023.

State Counsel Yusuf S. Kamara, who presented the case, initially charged Sankoh with murder but later requested a reduction to manslaughter, which the court approved. Following this change, Sankoh altered his plea from not guilty to guilty.

During sentencing, defense attorney Yusuf Kargbo highlighted that Sankoh had been in custody since 2015 and had demonstrated signs of rehabilitation.

Justice Jarrett considered Sankoh’s age and his decision to plead guilty, which spared the court from a lengthy trial.

The judge decided on a 10-year sentence, which will include the time already served by Sankoh.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in the case, reflecting a balance between justice for the victim and consideration for the young offender’s circumstances.