Freetown – The High Court of Sierra Leone has sentenced fisherman Alhaji Sawaneh to ten years in prison for the sexual assault of a four-year-old child.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at Sexual Offences Court No. 7 on Siaka Stevens Street.
Sawaneh pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual penetration, an offense under Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012, as amended by the 2019 Sexual Offences Amendment Act. The incident occurred on July 19, 2023, in Freetown.
During the court proceedings, Sawaneh, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, pleaded for leniency, asking the judge to balance justice with mercy. However, Justice Stevens condemned the crime as an act of “wickedness,” stressing that children must be protected rather than exploited.
In his sentencing, the judge acknowledged the offender’s youth but urged him to use his time in prison productively. He further ruled that Sawaneh must have no contact with the victim upon his release.
This case highlights the judiciary’s firm stance on crimes against minors in Sierra Leone, reinforcing the legal system’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children.
