French National Gets Freedom in Criminal Case

Jean Luc Pataux, a French national, gained his freedom on the 14thJanuary, 2009, in an ongoing case in which he was charged with receiving money by false pretence. The four-year case, which was presided over by Magistrate Sagarr Jahateh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, has finally come to an end.

In her judgement, Magistrate Jahateh told the court that it was not disputed that the accused obtained money from the complainant, knowing that he had no money in his account and that it was also not disputed that the accused had received D900, 000 from one of the complainants. She further stated that the prosecution has proven its case by calling its witnesses.

She went on to say that the accused was found guilty of obtaining money by false pretence and sentenced him to a custodial term of one year imprisonment.

She stated that since the accused had been in custody for four years, he had already served the sentence in excess.

She finally let him go home as a free man.

ASP Bojang was the prosecuting officer.