Justice Bangura Takes Tough Stance On Sexual Penetration
By Fatima Sesay
Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura(JA) of the High court in Kono, on Tuesday 11th November 2025, sentenced Shekuba Mansaray to 15 years imprisonment after his guilty plea of sexually penetrating a 12 year old girl.
The convict was standing trial before the learned judge on one count charge of Sexual Penetration of a child, contrary to section 19 of the sexual offences Act 2012, Act No12 of 2012, as repealed and replaced by section 4(aii) of the sexual offences (Amendment) Act 2019 Act No 8 of 2019.
According to the indictment, it was alleged that the defendant on 19th August 2025, in Kono district in the Eastern Province, engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a girl under the age of 18 years, to wit: 12 years old.
When the charge was read, explained and put to the defendant, he pleaded guilty.
The State Counsel, C. R Sesay, however, urged the court to adopt the plea of the defendant and sentence him accordingly. He further informed the court that the defendant had been convicted for about five times now in the judicial district.
The defendant, Shekuba Mansaray, in reply, pleaded for mercy and stated that he will never repeat his conduct.
Lawyer A O Kamara, Counsel for the defendant, in his plea of mitigation stated that his client did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty, adding that he has been remorseful throughout the investigation.
His guilty plea, he said, has shown that he has started his step to change and has regretted his action, and in the circumstances, pleaded with the learned Judge to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Bangura, in his ruling, said that having considered the plea of guilt by the defendant, saving the precious time of the court, together with the plea in mitigation made by the Defense Counsel on behalf of the defendant.
“However, I remind myself of the fact that the conduct of the convict is a heinous one and ought to be discouraged in society. His conduct has the potential of interfering with the physical well-being of the victim and can degrade, demoralize and stigmatize her, and that is why the court has to take a tough stance in a bid to deter other people from indulging in such a conduct “, he stressed.
In view of this line of reasoning, he therefore sentenced the convict to fifteen years imprisonment (15).
