35 year Old Businessman Marvin Thompson appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No 3 in Freetown in Freetown for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at ten thousand leones (NLe10,000) on 6 August 2022 at New England Ville in Freetown.

The accused appeared before the bench on a charge of larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.

It was alleged that the accused, on Saturday 6 August 2022 at Pratt Street in New England Ville, Freetown, stole a red coloured X12 iPhone valued at NL.e10,000 belonging to Fatmata Sall Kargbo.

Led in evidence by Sergeant 8811 Florence Wilson, prosecution witness (PW) 4, Sergeant 10400 Kabba Turay attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the New England Ville Police Station in Freetown, said he recognised the accused and could recall 6 August 2022.

He continued that he was on duty at the said police station when the complainant reported a case of larceny involving an iPhone,

adding that on the same day, he obtained statements from the complainant and her witnesses.

On the same day, he said the accused was apprehended at the Central Police Division, noting that he and Police Constable 18389 Salamatu T. obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused, which he admitted to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint, as witnessed by Police
Constable 18389 Salamatu Tarawalie.

The accused’s voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.

The witness concluded his evidence that he charged the accused with larceny by using the Judges’ Rule. The voluntary caution statement was also lendered in evidence.

The accused was not legally represented, when the opportunity was granted to him to cross examine, he intimated the court that he had no questions for the witness.

The prosecutor told the bench that she had closed the prosecution’s case.

Magistrate Bangura denied the accused bail, and the matter was adjourned to 6 December 2022.