Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Stealing Air Conditioner
Kanja Sesay A 23-year-old unemployed man, Mohamed Kamara, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of stealing an air conditioner valued at NLe55,200 from the Western Palace Beach Bar and Restaurant in Aberdeen, Freetown.
The sentence was handed down on November 2, 2026, by Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2. However, the court gave Kamara the option of avoiding imprisonment by returning the stolen property or paying full restitution to the restaurant management.
According to court records, Kamara stole a Midea air conditioner valued at US$2,300, equivalent to NLe55,200, on October 1, 2026.
He also faced a charge of malicious damage involving the air conditioning unit and an adjacent pipe valued at NLe800.
Police reportedly apprehended Kamara at about 6:00 a.m. on the day of the incident, while the matter was formally reported to law enforcement on October 8.
During the November 2 court proceedings, prosecution leader D.S.P. Conteh informed the court that Kamara was a first-time offender.
Kamara pleaded for leniency before Magistrate Fornah delivered the sentence.
The court imposed 24 months’ imprisonment for theft, another 24 months for damaging the air conditioner, and six months for damaging the pipe. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Kamara will serve a total of 24 months rather than the combined 54 months.
Under the court’s ruling, Kamara can avoid serving the prison sentence by returning the stolen air conditioner and pipe or reimbursing the restaurant management for their respective values.
The required restitution amounts are NLe55,200 for the air conditioner and NLe800 for the damaged pipe.
The court also ordered that all recovered items be returned to the complainant pursuant to Section 560 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024.
The ruling allows Kamara to make restitution while establishing the consequences of the theft and damage to the restaurant’s property.