Man Gets Two Years for AC Theft
A 23-year-old unemployed man has been sentenced to two years in prison or ordered to pay full restitution after being convicted of stealing an air conditioner valued at NLe55,200.
Mohamed Kamara received the sentence from Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown following an incident at the Western Palace Beach Bar and Restaurant in Aberdeen.
According to court records, Kamara stole a Midea air conditioner worth US$2,300 (NLe55,200) on October 1, 2026. He was also charged with causing malicious damage to the unit and an adjacent pipe valued at NLe800.
Police apprehended Kamara at 6:00 a.m. on the day of the theft, and the matter was formally reported to law enforcement on October 8.
During his court appearance on November 2, prosecution leader D.S.P. Conteh informed the court that Kamara was a first-time offender. Kamara pleaded for leniency before sentencing.
Magistrate Fornah handed down concurrent sentences: 24 months for theft, 24 months for damaging the air conditioner, and six months for damaging the pipe, meaning Kamara will serve a total of two years if restitution is not met.
Under the ruling, Kamara can avoid jail time by returning the stolen unit and pipe or reimbursing the restaurant management NLe55,200 and NLe800 respectively. Pursuant to Section 560 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024, the court ordered all recovered items returned to the complainant.
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