Two groups of 42 prostitutes, including Gambians and non-Gambians were yesterday sentenced to two weeks imprisonment at the State Central Prison (Mile Two) by Magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke and Pa Harry Jammeh, both of the Kanifing Magistrate’s Courts.

These women were arrested on March 7, 2007, by Serrekunda Police at different locations, such as City Pub, Jokor Westfield, Kairaba Avenue, while others were arrested in Bakau.

The 42 prostitutes, according to the police, were found loitering in these places on the said date, fetching men for prostitution.

Thirty of them were brought before Magistrate Jammeh, charged with rogue and vagabond contrary to section 167 (d) of the Criminal Code of Laws of The Gambia.

When the charge sheet was read to them, eighteen of the prostitutes pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one week in prison, while eleven pleaded not guilty, among them was a pregnant woman and a breast-feeding mother, who were asked to go home by the Magistrate and keep the peace. The rest who pleaded not guilty were remanded at Mile Two and will be brought before the court on Monday, March 12.

Similarly, twenty-five different groups of prostitutes were also arraigned before Magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke of the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court, charged with rogue and vagabond.

When the charge sheet was read to them, twenty -four of them pleaded guilty and were also given one week sentence, by the Magistrate, and one of them who pleaded not guilty was remanded at Mile Two until Monday March 12, when she is expected to be brought back to court.

Prosecutor 1748 Mballow and Prosecutor 870 Touray, represent the IGP.