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Police volunteer testifies in rape case

Oct 25, 2010, 12:46 PM | Article By: Malamin Conteh

Sulayman Jallow, a police volunteer attached to Wellingera Police Station on 21 October 2010 testified in the trial of one Pap Saine at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, before Justice Ikpala.

Saine was alleged to have raped an underage girl some time in 2008 at Wellingara Village in Kombo North district, West Coast Region.

Testifying as the fifth prosecution witness, Jallow told the court that on 2 February 2010, he was at Wellingera Police Station, when a man came and lodged a complaint, that his niece had been raped.

"Under the instruction of my boss, I visited the scene and found the victim crying with bloodstain on her skirt, the mattress, and part of her body," the police volunteer told the court.

The witness further adduced that he and the complainant, together with one corporal Keita, left for Serrekunda, where the suspect was subsequently arrested.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Assan Martin, the witness admitted not being officially appointed as a police volunteer but used to work from 8am to 4pm.

He also told the court that it was not his duty to record complaints, and also denied torturing the accused person as alleged by the defence.

At that juncture, the case was adjourned till 3 December 2010 for continuation.