The criminal trial involving the state against one Landing Sanneh resumed on Wednesday 18th April, 2012 before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, Presided over by Justice Emmanuel Nkea.The accused, Landing Sanneh is charged with rape contrary to Section 121 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia.

The particulars of the offence stated that on the 12th March, 2011 at Kerr Serign in the Kanifing Municipality, the accused, Landing Sanneh unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a 7-year-old girl. In her testimony, the third prosecution witness, the victim’s mother (name withheld) told the Special Criminal Court that on the said date, her daughter was sent on an errand by her co-wife (step mother) to take lunch to a neighbour.

The witness revealed that upon her return, she observed that her daughter was walking in a funny manner, which prompted her to take her into the house and asked her to undress. She (the witness) further revealed that as she took off her under-pant, she saw bloodstains on her private part. The witness adduced that when she enquired who had abused her, the victim informed her that it was the accused, Landing Sanneh. The witness further adduced that her daughter explained that the accused took her to his compound and had sex with her.

The third prosecution witness disclosed that she later reported the matter to the police. Responding to questions poised to her by defence counsel, Olede Uduma of the National Legal Aid Agency, the witness disclosed that her daughter was examined the same day she took her daughter to the police. The witness revealed that it was the victim that took her to the accused person’s residence, where he purportedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Hearing continues on 2nd May, 2012 at 2pm.