Three youths were sentenced by Magistrate A. Manneh at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and theft of a goat valued at D6,000.
Presiding Magistrate A. Manneh handed down the sentences to Ousainou Babou, Amadou Wurry Jallow, and Saika Jallow following their plea of guilty to stealing a goat at London Corner.
The incident was captured in a video published by What’s On – Gambia, and later, the Gambia Police Force reported that the three individuals were arrested by the Anti-Crime Unit of the police.
They were arraigned by DPS A. Badjie of the Anti-Crime Prosecution Unit on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Felony and Stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the trio faced two counts under the Criminal Offences Act 2025; Conspiracy to Commit Felony for planning the theft on 9 February, 2026; also stealing for the actual theft of a goat valued at D6,000.
When the charge was read both the three accused pleaded guilty to the charge and the facts were narrated to the court and they were convicted but before delivering the sentence the pleaded mercy.
The three in their plea of mitigation appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy demonstrating their reject for the action and promised not to engage in such again.
In delivering the judgment, Magistrate A. Manneh emphasised that while the court recognised the need for deterrence against crimes that undermine public order and property rights, certain mitigating factors worked in the defendants’ favour.
Magistrate Manneh noted that all three were first-time offenders and had demonstrated remorse by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, saving the court’s time.
“While the court acknowledges the defendant’s willingness to take responsibility for their actions, the law must serve as both a punishment and a deterrent,” Magistrate Manneh stated.
Under the 2023 Sentencing Guidelines, the Magistrate sought a balance between punishment and rehabilitation.
In her sentencing, Magistrate A. Manneh sentenced each of the three convicts on Count 1 (Conspiracy): A mandatory custodial sentence of six (6) months imprisonment and Count 2 (Stealing): A fine of D5,000.
Magistrate Manneh stated that failure to pay the D5,000 fine will result in an additional seven (7) days of imprisonment.
Magistrate Manneh ordered that the sentences run consecutively, meaning the convicts must serve their jail time before the conditions of the fine are settled.
Due to the owner of the goat being unknown at the time of sentence, Magistrate A. Manneh stated that an order for compensation was impracticable.
The three were handcuffed and escorted to the Mile 2 central prison for 6 months mandatory imprisonment
