By Ibrahim Kabba Turay
A juvenile, who was on Friday, 7th June, 2023, appeared before Justice Momoh-Jah Steven for the offence of sexual penetration of a child below the age of eighteen wit 13 years.
The 17-year-old juvenile was alleged to have sexually penetrated a 13- year- old pupil.
The accused was standing trial in the High Court presided by Justice Momoh Jah Stevens on two counts charge of sexual penetration of a child contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012,as repealed and replaced by Section 4 of the Sexual Offence (Amendment) Act of 2019.
The state prosecutor had alleged that the accused, on 1st June to 30th June 2021, in Freetown, Western Area District, sexually penetrated the victim who was below the age of 18th years, to wit 13 years.
When the charges were put to the accused by the court’s registrar, he pleaded not guilty as charged.
Justice Stevens advised the accused that the allegation against him is very serious and if found guilty he will be liable to a maximum fifteen years, and if found not guilty he will be acquitted and discharged accordingly.
He added that the accused is a pupil with a greater future and that if he knows he is guilty of the offence, he should confess because both he and the victim are juvenile.
He urged the counsel for the accused to advise his client before the next adjourned date which is on the 18th June, 2023.
