Magistrate Jah Slams 4 Years Jail Term On Bike Rider
By: Alimatu Kargbo
A commercial bike rider, Ishmael Kamara, has been sentenced to four years in prison by Principal Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 after pleading guilty to larceny.
According to the prosecution, Kamara broke into the United Methodist Church on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and stole 25 bags of imported cement, six lengths of iron rods, a shovel, a shopping bag and other assorted items valued at Le7,505.
The stolen items were the property of the United Methodist Church and were reportedly in the custody of Issa Kargbo at the time of the alleged theft.
When the matter came up in court, Prosecutor Sergeant 18456 Linda Teh told the court that Kamara was a first-time offender. However, she urged the court to treat the matter seriously, stressing that criminal acts targeting places of worship should not be tolerated.
In mitigation, Kamara pleaded with the court for mercy.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Jah said he had considered the circumstances of the case, the value of the stolen property and Kamara’s guilty plea.
The Magistrate noted that although Kamara was a first-time offender, the court could not ignore the seriousness of breaking into a place of worship and stealing property belonging to the church.
He said the sentence should not only punish the offender, but also serve as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar offences.
Magistrate Jah subsequently sentenced Ishmael Kamara to four years imprisonment for larceny.
