By Kenneth Thompson
A 29-year-old man is currently under preliminary investigations at the Freetown magistrates’ court No.2 for allegedly raping a 60-year-old woman. He faces a two-count charge of rape and malicious damage.
Being a co-tenant, the accused allegedly raped the elderly woman while she was sleeping at their Kolleh Town residence on Saturday 7 September this year.
Testifying in chambers as the first prosecution witness, the victim said that she took some sleeping pills “to aid my rest as I had been ill for the past two days”.
As if in a dream, she said, she felt something on top of her chest which she claimed she shoved off. “I couldn’t fight because I was tired and sleepy as the sleeping pills had started having an effect on me”, she explained.
She furthered that she then felt some penetration which woke up with a start, adding that she then saw the accused sitting between her parted legs.
The old woman went on that as she tried to open her tired eyes to take a better look at the person on her bed, the accused “took my lappa and covered his face”. She said she was afraid to shout, thinking that the accused had a weapon which he might use on her if she had shouted.
“I shouted anyway. My neighbour knocked at the door and I opened it. He was still standing in my room with his faced covered”, the victim testified.
After removing the cover, she said the accused was asked what he was doing in the room at that time of the night and the accused allegedly replied that he had had sexual feelings for her, which led to his creeping into the room.
She said that with the help of her family, she subsequently reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested.
The matter was adjourned to Monday 30 September for further hearing.
Meanwhile, several other sexual matters have been adjourned for hearings.
© Politico 26/09/13
