Justice Moses Richards of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul yesterday Monday March 1, 2010 convicted and sentenced one Nfamara Saidykhan to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of committing the criminal offence of rape.

The accused was alleged to have had sexual intercourse with a 14-year old girl, (name withheld) without her consent in his family compound on January 12, 2009 at Jarra Sankwia in the Lower River Region. The prosecution led by the DDPP, Mikailu Abdulahi called witnesses to prove the prosecution’s case against the accused and tendered the accused’s cautionary and voluntary statements, and the medical report on the examination conducted on the victim. The defence called two witnesses including the accused.

In delivering judgement, Justice Richards disclosed that in order for the prosecution to secure conviction, it must prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused had carnal knowledge of the victim. He said according to the evidence of the accused, he admitted having sex with the victim, but explained that there was no blood stain on his bed.

Justice Richards further said that the evidence of the medical report indicated that the hymen of the victim was broken. He added that the most important person to give evidence in the case of rape is the victim. The judge said the evidence of the victim was glaring and it was beyond dispute that the accused had sex with her.

He declared that the prime object of the court is the protection of the society. "It is time for the law to impose a heavy sentence on rape charges," he added. The presiding Judge observed that rape has become a daily occurrence in the society and there is nothing more effective to stamp out this crime rather than a long term of imprisonment for culprits. The accused was then sentenced to life imprisonment.