Justice Moses Richards of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, yesterday  warned that he will invoke the full force of the law on anyone found guilty of rape and murder.

Justice Richards made this declaration yesterday in the matter of the State against one Omar Loum,  who is charged with attempting to rape a four-year old girl in Lamin Village on April 29, 2009. Justice Richards said cases of rape and murder have superceded other cases and it seems that these vile practices have now become the order of the day in our society.

Justice Richards disclosed that it is his duty to free the society from these vices as they are becoming rampant. "If I find anyone guilty of rape and murder now, even those in Basse and Fatoto will hear us," he declared. Lawyer Edrisssa Sisokho, who announced his appearance for the accused person, urged the court to grant the accused bail, noting that the offence  of attempted rape is a bailable one.

Senior State Counsel S.H. Barkum retorted that if all suspects are granted bail, no one will be at the Mile 2 prisons. The presiding judge declined to grant the bail application. The case was adjourned to September 22, 2009.