Forest Intruders sentenced

Four youths were on Monday 28th September 2009, convicted and sentenced to a fine of D1500 each, by Magistrate Emmanuel A.K. Ahmat of the Brikama Magistrates' Court.

The convicts Boto Cham, Yahya Jallow, Abdoulie Gaye and Abdouraman Sanyang, were convicted following their plea of guilt to a charge of being in possession of forest products.

According to the particulars of offence, between Jidda and Busura in the Western Region of The Gambia, the convicts were found in possession of forest products without any lawful authority from the Regional Forestry Office.

Narrating the facts, Police Prosecutor Cadet, A.S.P Samateh, said it happened on 3rd September 2009, between Jidda and Busura State Forest Park. He said while the forest rangers were on a patrol in the forest, they came across the convicts with a donkey cart loaded with the products, such as firewood and fencing sticks. Consequent upon this, he said they were intercepted and cautioned, but they could not give an account of it.

He explained that they were then arrested and taken to the Kombo East District tribunal and later referred to the Brikama Magistrates' Court.