23-Year-Old Pleads Guilty to Larceny and Malicious Damage After NLe 146,000 Theft

A 23-year-old man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to stealing property valued at NLe 146,000 from the Ministry of Finance and causing extensive malicious damage to its generator infrastructure.

Alpha Umaru Newland, an unemployed resident of No. 2 Kroobay, Freetown, admitted to two counts before the court: larceny under Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, and malicious damage pursuant to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.

According to court particulars, the incident took place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance facility located on George Street, Freetown. Prosecutors stated that Newland unlawfully extracted copper cables from a generator control system, valued at NLe 137,000, along with two 100-amp batteries valued at NLe 9,000.

In addition to the theft, the prosecution alleged that the defendant intentionally damaged the generator control system during the commission of the crime, resulting in direct operational damages evaluated at NLe 137,000.

Upon the reading and explanation of the charges, Newland entered a guilty plea to both counts. Leading the prosecution, Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh confirmed to the court that the defendant has no prior criminal convictions on record.

Presiding Magistrate John Manso Fornah remanded the matter and adjourned court proceedings to October 5, 2026, when formal sentencing will take place.