The two-count charge of housebreaking and stealing
involving Mbemba Camara and Badou Manjang was recently heard at the Kanifing
Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Principal Magistrate Tabally.
Testifying, David Peter Tungate told the court that he is from England, lives in Bakau and works as a warehouse man and van driver.
He said he recognized the accused persons, as the 1st accused was his watchman responsible for the house where he was renting, adding that he kept one key and gave the 1st accused the other key.
He said on 5 November 2012 at around 7:45 pm, he and his fiancée, Jainaba Bojang, went for dinner and before they left, they checked that all the doors were closed, and notified the 1st accused that he was leaving the house.
According to him, when they came back, they met the 1st accused in the compound, adding that they found the first gate locked and he opened it.
They proceeded to the door, and found that it was not properly locked, he told the court, adding that when they got into the house, they found a bag containing money belong to his fiancée on the floor.
“The money was in the suitcase, and a bag were broken, where five bundles of D10,000 amounting to D50,000 and 800 pounds sterling were stolen,” he further told the court.
He said he asked the 1st accused about the missing monies, and he denied any knowledge, adding that he later reported the matter to Bakau Police Station where he wrote his statement.
Police officers visited the scene, and nothing was recovered, adding that the police subsequently traced the duplicated key from the 1st accused person.
Meanwhile, the accused persons were each granted court bail of D200,000 with a Gambian surety, who must deposit an ID card .
Hearing continues.
According to the charge sheet on count one, the accused persons, on 5 November 2012 at Bakau MamaKoto in the Kanifing Municipality, broke into the house of one David Peter Tungate with intent to commit a felony.
Count two stated that they broke into the said house and stole the following: cash of D53, 000 and 800 pounds sterling, being the property of the said David Peter Tungate and Jainaba Bojang.
