Freetown, May 12, 2025 – A Sierra Leonean photographer, Lindon Thomas, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, facing serious criminal charges stemming from an alleged robbery and assault incident.
Thomas has been charged with three counts: Robbery with Aggravation, Wounding, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.
The charges relate to an incident that occurred on February 16, 2025, in Waterloo, Western Rural District, during which Thomas is accused of violently attacking and robbing a commercial motorbike rider, Joseph Thoronka.
According to court documents, Thomas allegedly used a syringe to threaten Thoronka before stealing his motorbike, registered as ASZ 735, valued at Le16,000. He is also accused of taking a Techno Pop 2 mobile phone worth Le2,500 and Le540 in cash—bringing the total value of the stolen items to Le19,040. The prosecution further claims that the accused used personal violence in the commission of the robbery.
In addition to the robbery charge, Thomas faces allegations of maliciously wounding Thoronka and causing him actual bodily harm during the attack.
The accused did not enter a plea when the charges were read in court.
During Monday’s session, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan M.S. Bull led the second prosecution witness, Isatu Baimba, in testimony. Baimba told the court that on the night of the incident, she heard cries for help outside her home and found Thoronka on the ground, bleeding and visibly traumatized.
“He was in pain and could barely move,” Baimba testified. “He kept calling his attacker a ‘bad man’ and said he had been beaten and robbed.”
Baimba said she immediately administered first aid and contacted Thoronka’s relatives. She noted that Thoronka’s condition deteriorated later that night, with reports that he had urinated blood and was unable to walk properly.
The matter has been adjourned for further proceedings.
