Rapist face life in jail

One Abdou Joof was yesterday arraigned before Principal Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Brikama Magistrates court, accused of raping an 11 year old girl.

According to the police prosecutor, Sergeant Jammeh, the accused, on January 14, 2009, forcefully had canal knowledge of the girl (name withheld) in an incompleted building in Nema Kunku. He was also said to have attempted to rape a second girl, a colleague of the first, but he was unsuccessful as the girl raised the alarm. Joof was later arrested by the Welingera police who detained him and had him confessed that he had had carnal knowledge of the 11 year old. He was then charged accordinly.

However, the presiding magistrate put it to the accused that the punishment for rape was life imprisonment, and that the court has convicted him as charged. The case was adjourned to February 5, 2009, for Principal Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh to deliver his judgement.

The young teenager is said to be deaf and dumb. Abdou Joof acknowleged the unfortunate nature of his act, but he told the court that his wife had just delivered a baby, so he was left with no option.