One Landing Sanneh, who was accused of attempted rape, was yesterday convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Special Criminal Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Nkea.
According to the charge sheet, on 13 March 2011 at Kerr Serign village, the convicted person had carnal knowledge of an underage girl.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Nkea stated that the prosecution had led evidence through five witnesses and tendered exhibits, while the convicted person gave evidence alone.
The judge adduced that PW1 in her evidence stated that when she went to the residence of the convict, he held her hand and forced her to have intercourse without her consent, and that blood started oozing out of her private part, after she was raped.
The matter was reported to the police at Kotu Police Station, who arrested the convict, he said, adding that the law required that the prosecution must prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt.
He said the prosecution must show that there was a sexual act, and this evidence was satisfied by PW1 and PW2, who all testified that the convict had carnal knowledge of the victim.
The judge added that the medical test conducted showed that the prosecution had failed to prove their case against the convict, adding that at this juncture he shall acquit and discharge Sanneh on the charge of rape.
However, he said the evidence had shown that the convicted person had attempted to rape the victim, and consequently convicted him for attempted rape.