The High Court in Kenema, presided over by Justice Abdul Rahman Mansaray, has jailed one Theophilus Carew to one hundred and twenty months in prison for sexually penetrating a child below eighteen years.
Carew had been charged to court for sexual penetration contrary to section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012.
The Police claimed that on an unspecified date between February 1, 2020 and March 1, 2020 at Kenema, the accused committed the crime.
When given an opportunity to ask for mercy on his client’s behalf, a defense Counsel from Legal Aid Board, told the court that Carew is a first time offender and was cooperative with the police and that he was also a school going pupil at the time he committed the crime.
Mr. Kamara asked for the Judge to temper justice with mercy and added that if his client was granted another opportunity, he would transform and reform.
According to Augustine Sheku, state counsel and customary law officer in the East, the offence attracts a maximum of life imprisonment and a minimum of ten years behind bars, and that the prosecution would be grateful if the minimum was granted.
Having heard the brief fact of the case and the plea in mitigation of the Defense Counsel, Justice Mansaray then sent the accused person to 120 months in prison.
By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
12/6/2020. ISSUE NO. 7844