(Friday, 30 August 2013, Issue)
Muhammed Touray and Amara Ganesi were on 29 August 2013, convicted and sentenced to a fine of D1,000 each in default to serve three months in prison for stealing and D2,500 each in default to serve another three months in prison on count one and two respectively by Magistrate Jobarteh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, following their plea of guilt.
Both sentences would run concurrently.
According to the facts narrated by prosecutor 335 Nying, the incident happened on 26 July 2013 at Bakoteh.
She said the complainant, Saikou Touray, received an amount of 1,000 Euros sent to him.
She added that he went to collect it with Amara Ganesi, stating that he collected the money and put it inside the vehicle and went home and parked the vehicle.
Prosecutor Nying further stated that the second accused, Amara Ganesi, stole the vehicle key in the absence of the complainant.
She posited that he opened the vehicle and took 50 Euros from the 1,000 Euros, adding that he informed the first accused Muhammed Touray that he had a deal for him.
She said the first accused asked him what the deal was about and he told him the complainant had foreign currency in his vehicle.
Prosecutor Nying indicated that the first accused asked him how he got to know about it.
She narrated that he told the first accused that he had already taken 50 Euros from it.
The second accused gave the key to the first accused who opened the car and took the remaining 950 Euros from the car and went to a lodge in Banjul, she narrated.
She stated that the complainant realized that the said money was taken from his vehicle, adding that he went to the police station and complained, and the matter was investigated.
Prosecutor Nying further narrated that the complainant was with the second accused searching for the first accused, adding that 400 Euros and D1,000 were recovered from the first accused.
In mitigation, the convicts begged the court to temper justice with mercy, but they were sentenced accordingly.