By Saio Marrah
Justice Cosmotina Jarrett has remanded three accused, Desmond Karbgo, Mohamed Turay and Umaru Mansaray, all male adults in three separate sexual assault cases against three minors.
Led in by State Prosecutor Rodney A.S. Edwards, Doctor Ola Bisi Claudius-Cole tendered a medical report prepared by Doctor Chrisphine Williams, from the Rainbo Centre at the High Court No.6 in Freetown on Thursday 13th July 2023, informing the court in relation to Desmond Kargbo’s case that the hymen of the vagina of a 9-year-old girl was ruptured.
She also noted that such could be a result of sexual assault and other reasons.
She also noted that the medical certificate also indicated that there was offensive discharge in the vagina but was minimal.
Kargbo is indicted on one count of sexual penetration, that allege between the 1st of June and 5th of July 2021, he engaged in an act of sexual penetration of a minor.
In another separate case implicating Umaru Mansaray, Dr Ola Bisi Claudius-Cole also tendered a medical certificate prepared by Dr Bintu Mansaray, indicating that there was no external physical injury at the time of the medical examination.
She gave detailed account about the medical state of the 15-year-old girl . Apart from sexual penetration, the court learnt from her that surgical interventions and riding a bicycle can also rupture the hymen of a female.
She also noted that 1st August 2019 was the time the accused started abusing the victim.
During cross-examination by the Defence Lawyer, Abraham Kargbo, Dr Claudius-Cole, told the court that the perpetrator used to abuse the victim in an unfinished building with her lying on the ground.
Responding to a question as to whether it was possible for the victim at the age of 15 not to fight back, which could have led to the victim sustaining bruises, the witness responded saying it was possible.
In another separate sexual penetration case implicating an elderly man in his 60s, Mohamed Turay against an eleven-year-old girl, the prosecution witness in that matter, Fatmata Kaloko, told the court that she is an Aunty to the victim.
According to her, on the 25th of February 2020, she discovered that the child had become pale and had unusual gait which prompted her to ask the child what was wrong with her.
According to Ms Kaloko, the victim told her that she had information about the accused and after explaining what happened, they made a report at the Hastings Police Station about the matter.
The court learnt from her that she was issued a medical form and that they went to the Rainbo Centre for treatment. She said they later made a statement at the same police station, which led to the arrest of the accused.
All the cases were adjourned to 27th July this year.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (14/07/23)
