The trial of Sunkaru Dumbuya, a taxi driver at Kanifing Industrial Estate, alleged to have stolen over D37,100 worth of materials yesterday began at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, presided over by  Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh.

The stolen materials were two king size mattresses, four beds, six packets of corrugate, 11 other packets of corrugates iron sheets and cushion chairs.
In her testimony, the first prosecution witness, Detective Inspector Mary Sowe of the Kanifing Estate Police Station, told the court that she recognised the accused.
Detective Inspector Sowe said on 13th April, 2007, the complainant  Mamodou Touray of Sinchu Alhagie, reported a case of shop-breaking and theft at to the station against the suspect , Sunkaru Dumbuya.

According to her, a case file was opened and the scene where the burglary occured (Jimpex) was visited.  “We discovered that the padlocks on the main gate were broken.  She stated that when they got inside they were shown where the materials were stolen. She added that, photographs were taken and the suspect was questioned, but he denied the allegations against him. 

Detective Sowe further stated that, the accused said that he was only at Jimpex when an unknown man approached him and hired his taxi to take some materials to Manjai Kunda. She told the court that while the accused and the unknown man were busy loading the materials, the watchman saw them. “The watchman asked who sent them and the unknown man replied, the owner of the store, Mamodou Touray.
The witness said that the two further drove off to Kotu Quarry where they off loaded the materials, and was paid D450 for hiring his taxi.

The five photogrphs were later tendered in court as exhibits.  The trial continues.  Corporal 870 Touray representing the IGP.