Magistrate
Abeke of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on 12 January 2017 sentenced three
family members namely, Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita and Rabiyatou Keita to a fine
of D500 each in default to serve one month in prison, for assault causing
actual bodily harm.
This
development followed their plea of guilty.
Prosecutors
alleged that Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita, Fatou Conteh and Rabiyatou Keita, on
16 July 2016 at Dippa Kunda in the Kanifing Municipality, jointly unlawfully
assaulted one Assan Barry on his right eye by using their hands and a walking
stick, causing him actual bodily harm.
Police
prosecutor cadet Inspector Jallow, who was assisted by Sergeant 2118 Gomez,
told the court the incident happened on 16 July 2016, at Dippa Kunda when the
landlady, one Alimatou, went to collect her D400 house rent arrears from the
complainant, Assan Barry.
Prosecutor
Jallow further stated that the landlady was told that the said sum of money was
already given to her son.
Jallow
said the landlady then asked the complainant what transpired between him and
Sheriff Keita’s family.
While
Assan Barry was explaining the matter to the landlady, Jallow added, the first
accused, Sheriff Keita, appeared and told the complainant three times that he
was lying.
According
to prosecutor Jallow, the complainant then reciprocated and the first accused
punched him on his right eye, causing him actual bodily harm.
As
the complainant turned his back to the first accused, further narrated the
prosecutor, the first accused took his walking stick and assaulted the
complainant on his back.
Still
narrating the facts, prosecutor Jallow told the court it was then that the
second, third and the fourth accused persons came and jointly assaulted the
complainant.
When
the complainant escaped from them, he rushed to the Dippa Kunda Police Post and
reported the matter.
The
accused persons were subsequently arrested and charged, according to prosecutor
Jallow.
The
complainant was escorted to the Serrekunda Hospital for medical treatment where
he was treated and discharged, and was issued with a medical paper and
prescription document.
The
said medical paper and the prescription document were tendered, and admitted by
the court.
In
their plea of mitigation, they all begged the court to temper justice with
mercy.
In
his judgment, Magistrate Abeke sentenced Sheriff Keita, Lamin Keita and
Rabiyatou Keita to a fine of D500 in default to serve one month in prison. They
were also ordered to pay a compensation of D1,000 each to the complainant.
Fatou
Conteh was discharged by the magistrate, because she is a lactating mother.
