Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens JA has sentenced 35-year-old Motorcycle rider, Osman Barrie, to 35 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of sexually penetrating a 14-year-old pupil.

The accused was standing trial on a one-count indictment of Sexual Penetration contrary to section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No 12 of 2012, as repealed and replaced by Section 4(a) (ii) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019, Act No 8 of 2019.

State prosecutor Musa Pious Sesay Esq had alleged that the accused on a date unknown between the 1st July and 31st July 2021, at Freetown in the Western Area of the country, engaged in an Act of Sexual Penetration with a child.

The convict upon arraignment denied the allegations and the State Prosecutor Musa Pious Sesay Esq led in evidence several witnesses including the victim in support of his case.

First Prosecution Witness in her evidence is the school-going girl, who admitted knowing the accused as her neighbor and recalled dates between the 1st of July and 31st of July 2021, when she went to the home of the accused to borrow a laundering board. She said after the accused directed her into his room, he then followed her, grabbed her and removed her pants, and sexually penetrated her.

“I saw blood oozing from my vagina, I felt severe pain and I went to take my bath”. The victim explained that she only got to know that she had been impregnated by the accused when another woman drew her attention to it.

At the close of the Prosecution’s case, the accused relied on his statement made to the police.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Stevens noted that the accused voluntarily made a confessional statement which makes the Act of the accused guilty as charged.

The convict pleaded for mercy but was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment by Justice Momoh Jah Stevens.