Man Lands in Court Over Alleged Car Battery and Tape Theft

A man identified as Arnold Conteh has appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown, where he is facing four counts of conspiracy, larceny, malicious damage, and obtaining money by false pretences.

Conteh is alleged to have committed the offences on August 11, 2026, at Kaimachende Drive, S.S. Camp, Regent Village, Freetown.

The first count alleges that Conteh conspired with one or more persons unknown to commit a crime, contrary to law.

On the second count, Conteh is alleged to have stolen a car tape valued at Le2,000 and a car battery valued at Le2,500 from a black Mercedes-Benz C-Class 300, with registration number ATO 831. The stolen items, with a combined value of Le4,500, are alleged to belong to Oyah Aminata Bailor.

Conteh is also charged with malicious damage. According to the particulars of the third count, he damaged the rear-left glass of another vehicle, with registration number AMR 747, valued at Le1,500 and also belonging to Bailor.

The fourth count alleges that Conteh, with intent to defraud, obtained Le104 from Bailor by falsely representing that he would identify the person who allegedly stole her car tape and battery, knowing the representation to be false.

The charges were read and explained to Conteh, and he pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Following his plea, Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to September 16, 2026, for the first prosecution witness to testify. Conteh remains in custody.