Security Guard Remanded For Alleged Theft

Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 has sent a Cloudnight Security guard, Peter Mattia on remand at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown for allegedly breaking into Mohamed Juldeh Bah’s store situated alongthe Jui Highway and stealing $560, and other valuables items worth thousands of leones.

Peter Mattia who was arrested on 13th July 2023 by Detective Police Constable DPC 10201 Kpaka appeared before Magistrate Kekura on two counts charges of store breaking and larceny, and malicious damage contrary to the laws of Sierra w Leone.

It was alleged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that the accused, on Monday 3rd July 2023 along the Hastings Highway in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, stole $560 equivalent to NLe89,451 and NLe28,000 belonging to the complainant, Mohamed Juldeh Bah.

The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the same date and place on the outskirts of Freetown, maliciously damaged the complainant’s shop door and padlocks worth thousands of leones.

Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who doubles as the head of the prosecution team, prosecution witnesses (PW)1, Mohamed Juldeh Bah in his evidence told the court that he recognised the accused as the security guard he had hired from Cloudnight Security company to man his shop. Mr Bah furthered that he could recall Monday 13th July 2023.

PW 1 disclosed that on the said date, between 8am and 9am, he received a call from his younger brother, Ibrahim Bah, who gave him information about the said incident.

The witness said upon receiving the information, he instantly left for the crime scene at Hastings Highway, adding that upon his arrival, he observed that his shop door was damaged and that two padlocks were also damaged. He said he also saw a hammer at the crime scene.

At this juncture, the police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Osman M. Bangura sought for an adjournment for him to have proper conference with his witness, application which was granted.

The accused was denied bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to 2nd August 2023 for further hearing.