One Ousman Darboe, an employee of Sun Beach Hotel, who was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm, along with his colleagues yesterday Wednesday 9th September 2009, testified before Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.

In his testimony, Darboe told the court that he is a resident of Wellingara and that he is a cook at Sun Beach Hotel. He adduced that he knew the complainant at the hotel, who happens to be his boss.

Testifying before the court, he said, “the issue of meals and praying had transpired between them and their boss who is the head cook of the hotel”.

Darboe further testified that their boss had told them that he had spoken to the management about the praying issue.

According to him, he said the management had told him that no one should pray in the hotel during official hours.

He narrated that their boss had also told them that he is their boss and that his words are final. He indicated that their boss told them that the meal and praying time had been changed from 6pm to 5pm. He also stated that their boss told them that he decided to change the time because he is their boss and would do whatever he likes.

He testified that on 23rd February 2009, they were supposed to work on shift duties and to report at 2pm. He said when they got to work; they signed the register and put on their uniforms.

Darboe further explained that it was when their boss came into the kitchen and found them working, insisting that they should not under any circumstance pray in the premises.

He adduced further that their boss then slammed the door behind and walked away, only to be later told that they had assaulted him.