One Peter Paul Hornberger, a German national, is reported to be arrested by the child welfare unit of the Gambia Police Force.

According to Superintendent Malamin Ceesay of the Mayor Crime Unit, the suspect was arrested on 20th November 2008 for allegedly interfering with children particularly the male children. He said the victim was an 11year old boy who lives within the Greater Banjul Area. He added that the child’s parents were interviewed and statements were obtained from them, adding that the victim was later referred to the RVTH for medical examination and a report was produced to that effect.

Superintendent Ceesay further revealed that according to the parents of the victim the child would go from morning and he would not come back home until in the evening. He said, according to the parents, one day they notice something on the child and decided he need medical attention. He said the suspect was questioned about the allegation and he made a statement to that effect.

For her part Chief Inspector Yamoundaw Jagne-Joof, child welfare protection officer at The Gambia Police Force, revealed that on the 19th November 2008 she received a tip off regarding child abuse, adding that she ordered the arrest of the suspect. She said that the suspect was immediately arrested and a case file was opened for investigation.

Yankuba Sonko, crime management co-ordinator of The Gambia Police Force, advised the parents to take great care of their children, adding that most of this offences are being committed by non-Gambians. He added that the security agents of the country would fight tooth and nail against this menace. He revealed that he would be discussing with the Director of Immigration to make sure that anybody who is coming to stay in the country must produce a certificate of character.

Meanwhile according to Superintendent Malamin Ceesay, the suspect had been charged with unnatural offence contrary to section 144 (a) of the criminal code cap 10 volume III laws of The Gambia 1990 and indecent assault of boy under the age of 18 years.

According to the law the first count of unnatural offences carry a maximum sentence of 14 years, while the second count of indecent assault of under age boy carry a maximum sentence of 7 years.