The Kanifing Magistrates' Court, presided over by Magistrate Lamin George, recently convicted and sentenced one Muhammed Njie to 18 months in prison for theft.
Muhammed Njie pleaded not guilty to count one of housebreaking, but pleaded guilty to count two of stealing.
The charge sheet on count one stated that the convict on 30 December 2010, at Bakau Sanchaba, unlawfully broke into the house of one Lamin Darboe with intent to commit a felony therein to wit stealing.
Count two read that on the same date and place, the convict stole one mattress (foam) valued at D950, being the property of Lamin Darboe.
Sgt Kinteh, police prosecutor, adopted the facts of the case as stated in the charge sheet.
When asked whether the convict was a first time offender, Sergin Kinteh told the court: "The convict was previously convicted and sentenced to six months for similar offence of stealing."
The trial magistrate subsequently convicted and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, after begging the court to temper justice with mercy.
