A Tanji resident, one Baboucarr Njie who was standing trial for housebreaking and stealing, was sentenced by the Brikama Magistrates' Court, presided over by Magistrate Effirm.
He was convicted and sentenced on count one, to a mandatory jail term of one year with hard labour and a compensation of D5, 870, in default to serve five months in prison.
While on count two, he was convicted and sentenced to a mandatory jail term of six months and a compensation of D7, 390, in default to serve another six months in prison.
Delivering his judgement, Magistrate Effim told the court that the accused person was brought before the court, charged with housebreaking and stealing, a charge he denied.
According to him, the prosecution in support of their case had called in three witnesses, all of whom, he added, testified against the convict. He said all the prosecution witnesses testified that, the convict had broken and entered into the two shops of the complainant and stole therein. He added that the convict testified on his own and did not call any witness.
The trial magistrate finally held that, the prosecution had proven their case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
The accused, in his plea of mitigation, begged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he is a family man.
