Man convicted for multiple offences

A man was recently convicted by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on charges of housebreaking, stealing and wilful damage to property.

Mustapha Jawara, who pleaded guilty to the charges was fined D10, 000 in default to serve two years in prison on count one, and on count two D10,000 in default to serve two years in prison, and on count three he was fined D10,000 in default to serve two years in prison.

All sentences were to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to compensate the complainant with D5,000, and the court ordered that all recovered items be returned to the owner.

The facts of the case as narrated by the prosecuting officer, Sgt 1781, stated that it happened on 3 September 2011 at Bakau Cape Point.

He said the complainant woke up in the morning and discovered that his house was been broken into over night; his chairs at the sitting room were damaged and a television set was taken away.

Still narrating, he told the court that the complainant later proceeded to his kitchen and realized that some of his items were missing, adding that he noticed that the convict went through the roof and entered the house.

The complainant, he added, reported the matter at the Bakau Police Station, adding that the investigation was made and the complainant identified one of his T-shirts with the convicted person, who was consequently arrested and charged with the offence committed.

The police prosecutor also informed the court that the TV set and two small bags were recovered.

According to the charge sheet on count one, on 3 September 2011 at Bakau Cape Point in the Kanifing Municipality, Mustapha Jawara broke into the house of the complainant, with intent to commit a felony, that is, to steal.

The charge sheet on count two stated that Jawara stole from the house of the complainant the following: one sharp TV valued at D5,000, one small suitcase containing clothes and items valued at D400, one big suitcase containing two shirts and other pet items valued at D350, another suitcase containing a tool box and one shirt valued at D500.

Furthermore, count three stated that he damaged the roof, a chair and the doors of the house of the complainant valued at D5, 000.