The Special Criminal Court in Banjul presided over the Justice Joseph Ikpala has commenced the hearing into the criminal trial involving the state against one Pap Saine, charged with the offence of rape.

The accused Pap Saine was alleged to have raped a-20-year-old girl on the 1st of February 2010 at Kunkujang village in Western Region. In her evidence, the victim (name withheld) told the court that she live with the accused in the same compound and that whilst she was sleeping in her room on the 1st of February 2010, the accused entered into her room. The victim further told the court that as the accused entered into her room and locked the door, she woke up and asked the accused what he was doing inside her room.

The victim explained that the accused came to her and removed her skirt and then removed the zip of his trouser. The victim further explained that as she realised that the accused removing his genital organ, she began beating him and struggling ensued but the accused over powered her and penetrated her.

PW1 said she screamed for help but to no avail she noticed blood oozing from her private part. The witness revealed that as the accused observed that blood was coming out of her private part, the accused quickly left her and opened the door and left. The witness further revealed that after the accused left, someone entered the compound who informed her that he heard her screaming.

The witness disclosed that the police was then contacted and she was later taken to the hospital where she was examined. Hearing continues today.