Witness Tells Court
The second witness to testify for the prosecution in the ongoing indecent assault case involving Peter Paul Amberger, a Dutch national, told the court yesterday that the accused had admitted the charges in the presence of an independent witness, without duress.

Sergeant Dodou Sanneh, a police officer attached to the Major Crime Unit of the Police adduced that on 21st November 2008, while he was on duty at the Major Crime Unit, the accused was brought before him for investigation.

He told the court that he was instructed to obtain statements from the accused, and the accused voluntarily gave both voluntary and cautionary statements in the presence of an independent witness, one Abdoulie Njie.

He adduced that both the accused and the independent witness had signed the statements.

Sgt. Sanneh further adduced that he read the ‘cautionary wording’ to the accused in English, which he claimed to understand. He also elucidated that he read the charge of indecent assault of a boy under the ago of 14, and the accused admitted the charges in the presence of an independent witness, without duress.

He maintained that he was never compelled to say anything.

Peter Paul Amberger is charged with sexually harassing a boy under the age of 14 sometime last year, a charge he has since denied.

The case was adjourned to 6th August 2009.

Inspector Mballow stood in for the IGP, while Lawyer Assan Martin represented the accused.

Principal Magistrate Kayode of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, presided over the case.