Solar Panel Thief Convicted

Following his guilty plea to the charge of stealing and wilful damage to property, one Lamin Jatta was recently convicted and sentenced by Magistrate Effim of the Brikama Magistrates' Court to a fine of D3000, in default to serve one year in prison.

He was also ordered to compensate the complainant the sum of D8000, in default to serve three months in prison.

According to the facts as narrated by the Police Prosecutor, Cadet ASP Samateh, it happened on 20th October 2009, at Gunjur Community Pre-School. He adduced that the accused went into the said place where he climbed up to where the solar panels were fixed and destroyed it, together with its transmitter. He added that in the morning when the school authority realised that three solar panels and its transmitter were stolen, they reported the matter to the police.

Cadet ASP Samateh went further to narrate to the court that, as investigation was looming two Immigration Officers stationed at the Gunjur Car Park, spotted the accused person with the items, got him arrested and took him to Gunjur Police Station where he was cautioned and charged with the offence committed.