By Aminata Phidelia Allie
A 23-year-old man has been committed to the High Court for trial on two counts of sexual penetration and for sexually abusing an under-aged girl.
The accused, a security guard at the orphanage where the victim stayed, made his eighth appearance in court yesterday for having sex with the 16-year-old at Wellington between November 1, 2012 and April 13, 2013, leaving the victim pregnant.
The victim, an orphan and presently in the care of Don Bosco Fambul in Freetown, is said to be about eight months pregnant. She had earlier testified in court, saying the accused was her boyfriend and was never forced into having sex.
She told the magistrate that the family of the accused had gone to the orphanage to accept the pregnancy, which “we have both agreed to keep”.
Magistrate Kamanda, however, said the matter was serious because the victim “is an orphan that is being taken care of by kind hearted people who receive support from NGOs”.
“Even the accused person’s statement to the police is enough to incriminate him, considering the age of the victim and the circumstances surrounding her”, he observed, adding: “you did not only sexually penetrate her, but also get her pregnant, thereby destroying her future”.
He ordered that the accused be remanded in prison until his case is mentioned in the High Court.
© Politico 15/08/13
