10 Cartons of Floor Tiles Land Mason in Prison for 12 Months

Ten cartons of floor tiles valued at Le 5,500 formed the basis of a case against mason Abu Bakarr Marrah, who has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for larceny.

Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh of Pademba Road Court No. 5 found Marrah guilty of stealing the tiles, each carton valued at Le 550. The tiles belonged to Hassan Tarawallie, according to the prosecution.

The case stemmed from an alleged theft on 29 September 2026 at Back of Old School, Hill Station, in the Mountain Rural District of the Western Area. Marrah was charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit a crime under the Larceny Act of 1916. The conspiracy charge alleged that he acted alongside other unidentified individuals.

After the prosecution closed its case, Marrah elected to rely on his statement to the police. In the statement, he admitted having possession of the tiles and said he intended to sell them before he was apprehended.

Prosecution witnesses also told the court that cartons of tiles had been recovered from Marrah’s residence. However, the recovered items were not tendered as exhibits during the trial.

In her judgment, Magistrate Gbloh ruled that the prosecution had proved the larceny charge but failed to establish that Marrah conspired with others.

She subsequently acquitted him of the conspiracy charge and convicted him of larceny.

Marrah was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.