By Mohamed Foday Conteh
One Chi Shu Laing, 44, a storekeeper, has appeared before Supreme Court Judge, Justice Alusine Sesay in Freetown for an offence of wounding with intent.
Laing was arraigned in court during the September call over for the start of the criminal session. The storekeeper was said to have wounded two other Chinese Nationals, one Tan Lee and Zhang Hun on the 31st January 2021. The 42 year old man pleaded guilty to the charges.
Justice Sesay requested for the two complainants in court.
The State Prosecutor, Jesse Tucker brought to the attention of the judge that the two complainants did not testify during the preliminary investigation at the Magistrate Court. He said only two police investigators testified at the lower court.
Tucker said that the Magistrate had relied on the confessional statement of the accused. He added that the number of years to be spent behind bars is the discretion of the judge.
One of the police investigators said that it is within their knowledge that both victims have returned to China.
Laing, through an interpreter in court, pleaded with the judge for mercy. He said he has spent one year and six months in Sierra Leone. He informed the judge that he has a wife and child in China.
In another matter, Justice Sesay sentenced one 17 year old mechanic, Alhaji Kamara to 12 months in prison for fraudulent conversion.
Kamara was said to have fraudulently converted three million, five hundred thousand Leones (Le 3,500,000) to his own use.
The accused told the judge that he has been on remand since the 21st October last year.
Justice Sesay discharged the accused by indicating that the he has already served during remand, the period of punishment for the crime. The judge advised the teenage to better his life and society in general. He admonished him to continue his trade.
The Supreme Court Judge also ordered the convict to seek forgiveness from his victim. His crime carries 12 months imprisonment.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (27/09/21)
