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Theresa Masuba who identified herself as a Social Service Officer at the Ministry of Social Welfare has led evidence before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 after a thief allegedly broke into her house and stole property worth new 2 million of old Leones.
The accused, Festus Thomas was arrested on the 11th of August 2023 by Detective Police Constable 14109 Sesay I. J. and appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 for allegedly breaking into Theresa Masuba’s house and stealing therein microwave, two big pots and other kitchen’s utensils valued at NLe1,950.
The accused was arraigned before the court on two counts of store breaking and larceny on contrary to section 26 (1) of Larceny Act of 1965.
According to the file sheet, it was alleged that the accused on Thursday 10th August 2023 at Grandille Lane in Kissy Brook Freetown, entered the complainant’s kitchen and stole from her a microwave, two big pots and other kitchen utensils worth NLe1,950.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman M. Bangura the first prosecution, further recognized the accused as her neighbor. He recalled that on Thursday 10th August she was at home sleeping but when she woke up and opened her kitchen door, she discovered that her kitchen roof was damaged and that the ceiling was cut. She said she discovered that the kitchen was ransacked and that her microwave, two big pots, aluminum mortar and other kitchen utensils worth valued at NLe1,950 belonging to her were missing.
She said she called upon her landlady and other neighbours and narrated the incident to them.
She further noted that she reported the matter to the Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division in Freetown, where she made a statement.
Masuba added that she and a team of police officers left for the crime scene and upon their arrival, they took photographs of the scene. She also mentioned that she was later called upon at the Ross Road Police Station and identified the accused to the police who was arrested by his aunt and was taken to the Ross Road Police Station.
“In my presence when the police interrogated the accused regarding the allegations, he admitted to stealing the items, he led us to a shop at Racecourse Road in Freetown where he allegedly sold the items, but when a search was conducted at the said shop, nothing of police interest was discovered”, she stated.
The accused who was unrepresented by a solicitor saw Magistrate Sahr Kekura giving him a chance to cross-examine the witness but told the court he had no questions for the witness and pleaded for mercy.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura denied the accused bail and remanded him at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to August 30th, 2023 for further hearing.
