By: Alimatu Kargbo
Several exhibits, including witness statements and caution statements, were tendered in evidence before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown in the ongoing alleged burglary and larceny matter involving James Turay, a fisherman, who is standing trial on one count charge of Burglary and Larceny contrary to Section 25 (1) and (13) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant, on Friday 13th February 2026, at No. 16A James McCarthy Drive, Spur Road, Freetown, in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, allegedly broke and entered the dwelling house of Hachem Abselhafid with intent to steal, and stole therein, one Samsung Note 10 Plus mobile phone valued at NLe21,000, one Samsung A35 mobile phone valued at NLe5,000 and one Tecno button mobile phone valued at NLe250, all amounting to a total value of NLe26,250, property of Hachem Abselhafid.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken.
Led in evidence by Police Constable 18235 Thoronka K., prosecution witness number one, DPC 13878 Paul Blango, attached to the Breaking and Larceny Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Freetown, recognized both the complainant and the defendant in the matter.
The witness recalled that on 13th February 2026, while on duty, the complainant reported a case of burglary and larceny which was assigned to him for investigation. He said a team of police officers headed by DASP Jimmy J. Momoh visited the crime scene where several photographs were taken.
Blango further testified that upon returning to the station, statements were obtained from the complainant and witnesses. He said the statements had since remained in police custody and were produced and tendered as Exhibits A1-A4, B1-B10, C1-C10, D1-D13 and E1-E4 respectively.
He further stated that on 7th May 2026, the defendant was arrested at the residence of the Algerian Ambassador, Hachem Abselhafid. According to the witness, on 12th May 2026, he and DPC 18468 Kamara A.M. obtained a caution statement from the defendant in Krio, which he recorded in English.
At the conclusion of the interview, the statement was read over and explained to the defendant, who admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint. The statement was witnessed by DPC 18468 Kamara A.M., while the witness signed as recorder. The statement was subsequently produced and tendered as Exhibit F1-F9.
The witness further informed the court that on 19th May 2026, the defendant was charged with the offence of burglary and larceny and was cautioned and questioned in Krio, which he again recorded in English. At the end of the interview, the statement was read over and explained to the defendant, who admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint. The statement was witnessed by Detective Sergeant 10400 Turay K., while the witness signed as recorder. The statement was produced and tendered as Exhibit G1-G4.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah ordered that subpoenas be served on the absent prosecution witnesses to ensure their attendance in court.
The matter was adjourned to 16th June 2026 for further hearing.
