By: Dawda M. Jallow
An alleged car thief Sering Salieu Mbackeh was on Tuesday arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court presided over by B. Sowe.
Sering Salieu is alleged to have stolen a motor vehicle in contravention of Section 256(b). He also stands accused ofcausing malicious injuries to property contrary to Section 312 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10.01, Vol. II of the Revised Laws of The Gambia (2009).
The prosecution alleged that Sering Salieu Mbackeh on or about 3 September 2024, stole a Mercedes Benz 190. The car, valued at D275, 000.00, was the property of one Lamin Cherno Touray.
Sering Salieu also stands accused of wilfully and unlawfully cutting the same motor vehicle into pieces, thereby committing an offense.
ASP Touray, prosecuting, called the complainant, Lamin Cherno Touray, a resident of Lamin village and a carpenter by profession, to testify. Mr. Touray identified the accused whenquestioned about his identity.
When asked to recount what transpired between him and Serign Salieu, Touray explained: “I received a call from my son, Lamin Touray, who told me he had sent some pictures of vehicles to my WhatsApp. After looking at the pictures, I realized that my car was among them. I then called Almameh, a mechanic whose garage is opposite the place where my car was parked. He confirmed that the car was no longer there.”
The prosecution further inquired about the ownership of the vehicle, and the witness confirmed that he was the owner. He detailed that he had parked the car at the GNPC petrol station. Mr. Touray said the vehicle was for sale for prices between D275,000.00 and D300,000.00.
When asked what action he took following the incident, he responded, “My son provided me with a contact for a man named Conteh, who then gave me CID officer Faal’s number. Faal asked if I was the owner of the car, and I confirmed. I later met Faal at Bakau Police Station.”
He explained that he had taken pictures of the car before parking it at GNPC and subsequently brought those pictures to the police station. The pictures were tendered, admitted into evidence and marked as exhibits.
Magistrate B. Sowe granted bail to the accused in the sum of D300, 000.00. The bail conditions require two Gambian sureties who must deposit their valid national identity cards, submit a sworn affidavit of means, and provide their residential addresses to the court.
The case has been adjourned until January 30, 2025, for the continuation of witness testimony.