Life imprisonment for rapist

The Special Criminal Court of the High Court in Banjul yesterday, Monday 1st March 2010, convicted one Nfamara Saidykhan, a tailor and resident of Jarra Sankuya in the Lower River Region for committing rape, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Mr. Saidykhan was said to have raped an under-aged girl some time last year in Jarra Sankuya.

In delivering a 45-minute judgment, the trial judge, Justice Moses Richards, stated that the prosecution case was that the convict had raped an under-aged girl.

He stated that the prosecution in support of their case called in several witnesses, as well as the defence.

He said that the totality of the evidence adduced has convinced the court that the convict is indeed culpable of the offence charged.

Justice Richards went on to summarise the evidence as adduced by the witnesses on both sides.

The victim in her testimony told the court that she was invited by the accused into his house, and that he forcefully had canal knowledge of her without her consent.

The judge further stated that the convict in his defence also admitted having sex with the girl after giving her D20.

Justice Richards maintained that "the primary function of the court is to protect the innocent people from the growing menace of immoral and evil acts in our today’s society."

He stressed that it is now time for this court to put a stop to this practice.

He added that it is now common for adults to rape minors to satisfy their sexual urge, which is tantamount to exploiting future leaders.

"I will continue my crusade against this menace until the society is free from murderers and rapists," he declared, adding that "there is no room for complacency in this case."