By Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications Unit

One of the Appeal Court Justices, Hon. Justice Alhaji Mohamed Momo-Jah Stevens (JA), presiding over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court has yesterday 15th March, 2021 sentenced Sulaiman Jubateh to fifteen years imprisonment.

Accused Sulaiman Jubateh, a Labourer of 42 Loko Town, Wellington, in the east end of Freetown, was brought before the court to answer to two count charges.

Count one, Sexual Penetration of a child, contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012 and count two, Sexual touching, contrary to Section 20 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012.

According to the particulars of offence, Sulaiman Jubateh on an unknown date between the 1st day of January, 2019 and the 22nd day of November, 2019 in the Western Area of Freetown engaged in an act of Sexual Penetration of a child.

The accused pleaded not guilty to both count charges. The prosecution filed a trial by Judge alone application so that the trial can proceed by a Judge alone instead of a Judge and Jury. The prosecution led two witnesses but the accused didn’t present any witness.

According to the medical report, the hymen of the victim was partially ruptured.

Justice Momo-Jah Stevens said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, citing Woolmington Vs DPP 1932. He stressed that the accused being an adult disadvantaged the victim and exploited her sexually by penetrating his penis into her virgina. Delivering his Judgement on count one, Justice Momo-Jah sentenced the accused to ten years and five years’ imprisonment on count two to run consecutively