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'I noticed blood stains on bed sheet, mattress' Police Detective reveals

Mar 18, 2010, 12:40 PM | Article By: Sainey M.K. Marenah

A police detective has told the Special Criminal Court that he noticed bloodstains on the bed sheet and the mattress at the house of Omar Dambel, the accused person, during the investigation of the allegation of rape.

Testifying on Monday 15th March 2010 as the first witness for the prosecution, Salifu Jido Ceesay, the station officer -CID at the Wellingara police station, told the court that he was on duty at the Wellingara station when he received a case file of rape for further investigation.

He adduced that after receiving the case file, he left for Abuko where the alleged rape happened.

Officer Ceesay further adduced that a search was conducted in the house of the accused person, but nothing was found other than bloodstains.

He further stated that he obtained both cautionary and voluntary statements from the accused in the presence of an independent witness, one Babucarr Sowe.

The court was told that the victim (name withheld as required by the law) was later taken to Fagi Kunda Heath Centre and later to Royal Victorian Teaching Hospital in Banjul where a medical certificate was issued.

The medical certificate and statements were tendered and marked as exhibits without any objection from the defence counsel.

Omar Dambel was accused of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent on 28th April 2009 at Abuko village, which charge he denied.

Hearing continues.