By Yusufu S. Bangura
A student, Magdalane Massaquoi, 22, made her second appearance before Magistrate Shar Kekura of the Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown for allegedly assaulting and wounding Fridea Conteh.
The twenty-two-year-old was arraigned before the court on three counts of wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and public insult contrary to Section 2 of the Public Order Act No.46 of 1965.
It was alleged that the accused on Saturday, 7th January, 2023, at 21B Thunder Hill, Kissy in Freetown, assaulted and wounded the complainant in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
The charge sheet further alleged that the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown, insulted the complainant in a manner that it would likely provoke him to commit breach of peace.
Testifying in court, second prosecution witness, Seres Conteh said she recognised the complainant and the accused as his neighbours and recalled on the date in question.
She said on that date, she was at home when she heard the accused using all sort of invective words and she then rushed outside and saw the accused abusing the complainant.
She added that at the same time, the accused threw cabbages into the pit which the complainant had dug. She said she called the accused to avoid the crime scene, but she refused and hit the complainant on his head with a stone.
She explained that the complainant was profusely bleeding and screamed for help, adding that during the process an unknown man arrived at the crime scene, who helped her to take the complainant to the nearest police station.
She said at the police station, the complainant was issued with a police medical request form for treatment at the Rokupa Government Hospital, Wellington in Freetown.
The witness said on the same date they returned the endorsed medical to the police station while she made a statement.
Defence counsel Ishmael I. Saccoh renewed his application for bail on behalf of the accused, but the police prosecutor, Ekundayyo Fatmata Koroma told the Bench that she relied on the affidavit opposing to bail.
Magistrate Kekura denied the accused bail and sent her to the Female Correctional Centre at Jumukeneyatta Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to the Monday 27th November, 2023 for further hearing.
