Witness Verifies Theft at Bicky's Place Boutique; Suspect Confesses to Taking Merchandise

During a compelling testimony, a shop employee detailed the discovery of missing merchandise and stated that the primary accused confessed to the theft.

The accused, David Kamara, a former security guard at Bicky’s Place Boutique on Liverpool Street, Freetown, and Martin Lucious, a businessman, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown, following their arrest on July 6 and 7, 2025, in connection with the theft. 

Kamara is charged with eight counts of larceny by a servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916. He allegedly stole various items from businesswoman Binta Tejan Kella, including assorted clothes valued at NLe 260,160, shoes worth NLe 292,100, bags valued at NLe 53,150, twelve glasses worth NLe 10,200, and thirteen purses totaling NLe 8,250.

Lucious faces charges of receiving stolen goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the same Act. He is accused of purchasing stolen items from Kamara, including fifteen pairs of assorted sneakers valued at NLe 10,000, one hundred and one pairs of sandals worth NLe 50,500, and sixty-one pieces of ladies’ wear valued at NLe 22,265.

Sergeant Mohamed Lahai led the prosecution. Princess Sankoh, an employee at Bicky’s Place, provided testimony as the second witness. 

She reported that between May 1 and June 23, 2025, she noticed several dresses, sandals, and other items missing from the boutique. 

She informed her employer, who subsequently convened a staff meeting. All staff members denied any knowledge of the missing items. The complainant later contacted Kamara's mother, who arrived at the shop with her son. 

During a meeting, Kamara confessed to the theft, stating he possessed spare keys and had some stolen items at his residence. The following day, Kamara’s mother returned some of the stolen items—sandals, jeans, and socks—to the boutique.

The witness further stated that she accompanied the first accused to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Pademba Road, where she was later summoned to provide a statement and encountered the second accused, Lucious, as the receiver of stolen goods.

During cross-examination by C.M.B. Amara Esq., the defense renewed their bail applications for both accused individuals. 

However, Magistrate Jah denied the bail request and remanded the defendants to the male correctional facility in Freetown. 

The case was adjourned to August 8, 2025.