Three family members sentenced

Magistrate Abeke of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on 12 January 2017 sentenced three family members namely, Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita and Rabiyatou Keita to a fine of D500 each in default to serve one month in prison, for assault causing actual bodily harm.

This development followed their plea of guilty.

Prosecutors alleged that Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita, Fatou Conteh and Rabiyatou Keita, on 16 July 2016 at Dippa Kunda in the Kanifing Municipality, jointly unlawfully assaulted one Assan Barry on his right eye by using their hands and a walking stick, causing him actual bodily harm.

Police prosecutor cadet Inspector Jallow, who was assisted by Sergeant 2118 Gomez, told the court the incident happened on 16 July 2016, at Dippa Kunda when the landlady, one Alimatou, went to collect her D400 house rent arrears from the complainant, Assan Barry.

Prosecutor Jallow further stated that the landlady was told that the said sum of money was already given to her son.

Jallow said the landlady then asked the complainant what transpired between him and Sheriff Keita’s family.

While Assan Barry was explaining the matter to the landlady, Jallow added, the first accused, Sheriff Keita, appeared and told the complainant three times that he was lying.

According to prosecutor Jallow, the complainant then reciprocated and the first accused punched him on his right eye, causing him actual bodily harm.

As the complainant turned his back to the first accused, further narrated the prosecutor, the first accused took his walking stick and assaulted the complainant on his back.

Still narrating the facts, prosecutor Jallow told the court it was then that the second, third and the fourth accused persons came and jointly assaulted the complainant.

When the complainant escaped from them, he rushed to the Dippa Kunda Police Post and reported the matter.

The accused persons were subsequently arrested and charged, according to prosecutor Jallow.

The complainant was escorted to the Serrekunda Hospital for medical treatment where he was treated and discharged, and was issued with a medical paper and prescription document.

The said medical paper and the prescription document were tendered, and admitted by the court.

In their plea of mitigation, they all begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

In his judgment, Magistrate Abeke sentenced Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita and Rabiyatou Keita to a fine of D500 in default to serve one month in prison. They were also ordered to pay a compensation of D1,000 each to the complainant.

Fatou Conteh was discharged by the magistrate, because she is a lactating mother.