Sexual penetration has been the dominant offence being committed by men on children. But the May 2022, Criminal Sessions proved otherwise. According to data from the criminal sessions, there was only one matter of sexual penetration out of 51 cases.
Over the past four to five criminal sessions, there were nothing less than 15 to 20 cases of sexually penetration, and it was among the top two offences on the case list during those periods. But there is a certain twist in relation to this new criminal session, which has only one case of sexual penetration, while larceny related offenses dominated the call over with 15 cases.
It is not clear what is responsible for the fall in sexual penetration cases, but it can’t be unconnected to the stiff stands taken by Government through the setting up of Sexual Model Court to speedily try sexual offenders, and the review of the Sexual Offences Act which prescribes stiffer punishment for people found guilty of Sexual Penetration.
With regards to the only sexual penetration matter, it is alleged that a 50-year-old Mohamed Turay, sexually penetrated an underage girl. He was charged with one count of sexual penetration.
According to allegation, Mohamed Turay on March 20, 2020, in Freetown sexual penetrated an underage girl. An allegation Turay denied.
He was remanded by the Supreme Court Judge presiding the May 2022 Criminal Sessions, Justice Nicholas Browne Marke.
By Alimatu Jalloh