By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, D.S.
A 21-year-old student from Milton Margai Technical University has been sentenced to ten years in prison for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl, a case that has sent shockwaves through the community.
The third-year Business Management student confessed to the crime in front of Justice Cosmotina Jarrett, reigniting discussions on the urgent need for child protection and justice for victims of sexual abuse.
State Prosecutor Lawyer Deen detailed that the incident occurred on April 29, 2024, in Allen Town. The accused lured the young girl, who had been sent by her mother to dispose of household waste, into his room where he committed the assault. After the mother was unable to locate her daughter, she took her to a nearby health center, where medical examinations confirmed the sexual violation. The matter was reported to the Waterloo Police Station, leading to the swift arrest of the university student.
In a controversial defense, the convict’s lawyer, Hindolo M. Gevao, argued that his client was in a “love relationship” with the victim and claimed he was misled by her appearance, requesting a reduced sentence of seven years.
However, Justice Jarrett upheld the full sentence mandated under Section 4A (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, emphasizing the importance of a strong penalty as a deterrent for future offenders. This decision has sparked public outcry and intensified calls for improved child protection measures throughout Sierra Leone.
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