Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrate court, yesterday convicted and sentenced Abdoulie Njie, a resident of Kanifing South to a 24-month suspended sentence on two counts after finding him guilty of stealing and escaping under lawful custody, both offenses contrary to the laws of The Gambia.

According to Count One, the accused on September 11 2007, at QuantumNet Institute stole a laptop computer valued at D15,000, being the property of one Bola J Williams.

Count two further revealed that the accused on 20 September 2007, at the Kanifing Magistrates’ court, attempted to escape lawful custody while awaiting trial. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

In his plea of mitigation, Njie asked the court for forgiveness adding that he is a first time offender.  According to him, he will never again be involved in such activities.

Delivering his judgement, Principal Magistrate Richards said he believed his guilty plea was genuine adding that he would be lenient with him as a young man.

“However, I have to punish you in order to deter others. The neighbourhood you came from is becoming dangerous nowadays as we are receiving reports”, he said.

According to him, the reason why he must be punished was to send a clear message to those engaged in such criminal activities.