Air Conditioner Theft: Court Jails Man for 24 Months, Orders Restoration
Abu Bakar Bangura has been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing and maliciously damaging an air conditioner and its pipes valued at NLe43,000.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown sentenced Bangura to two years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Bangura, 38, pleaded guilty to larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916, and malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
The court heard that on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Lapoonda Complex, Cape Road, Aberdeen, Freetown, Bangura stole an air conditioner and its pipes belonging to James Michel Bangura and maliciously damaged the property.
The prosecution told the court that Bangura was a first-time offender. Bangura also appealed to the magistrate for mercy.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Fornah considered the plea for mercy and Bangura’s status as a first-time offender. He also noted that the complainant had lost property valued at NLe43,000.
The court gave Bangura the alternative of paying NLe43,000 in compensation to the complainant or replacing the air conditioner with one of the same type.
The magistrate further ordered that the exhibits be restored to the complainant under Section 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024.
Comments