A 34-year-old security guard, Alie Sesay, has been sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera in Aberdeen, Freetown. The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Medissa Massaquoi of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 6. Sesay admitted to the offence of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916. The court ordered that he serve his sentence at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.
According to the particulars of the offence presented in court, Sesay stole a CCTV camera belonging to Bilal Bah on Monday, September 21, 2026. The incident occurred at No. 90 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, in the Western Area of Freetown. During the court proceedings, the charge was read and explained to Sesay, who pleaded guilty without contesting the allegation. His admission allowed the court to proceed with sentencing without conducting a contested trial.
Sub-Inspector Amiza John, who prosecuted the matter, tendered Sesay’s voluntary caution statement as part of the prosecution’s evidence. The prosecutor also informed the court that Sesay was a first-time offender with no previous criminal record. This information was considered by Magistrate Massaquoi when determining the appropriate punishment. The court also took into account Sesay’s decision to admit responsibility for the offence.
Sesay, who appeared before the court without legal representation, appealed for leniency before sentencing. He asked Magistrate Massaquoi to temper justice with mercy when deciding his punishment. In considering his appeal, the magistrate acknowledged that Sesay had pleaded guilty and had no previous criminal convictions. She also noted that his guilty plea had saved the court the time and resources that would otherwise have been required for a contested trial.
Despite acknowledging the mitigating circumstances, Magistrate Massaquoi determined that the offence warranted a custodial sentence. She subsequently sentenced Sesay to six months’ imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The judgment brought the proceedings to a close following Sesay’s admission that he had unlawfully taken the CCTV camera belonging to Bilal Bah.
The conviction was secured through his guilty plea, with the magistrate considering both the circumstances of the offence and his status as a first-time offender before delivering the sentence. The CCTV camera was valued at Le2,540. Sesay’s guilty plea was a significant factor in the court’s decision to sentence him to six months in prison.
The case highlights the importance of accountability for crimes committed in Sierra Leone. The sentence handed down to Sesay serves as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar offences. The court’s decision to take into account Sesay’s guilty plea and his status as a first-time offender demonstrates a balanced approach to justice.
Key points
- A 34-year-old security guard, Alie Sesay, has been sentenced to six months in prison for stealing a CCTV camera valued at Le2,540 in Aberdeen, Freetown.
- Sesay pleaded guilty to the offence of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
- The court took into account Sesay’s guilty plea and his status as a first-time offender when determining the sentence.
