By Haddy Touray
The Bundung Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a young woman to four years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of pouring hot oil on a sleeping man in what the court described as a “senseless” and “callous” act of violence.
Presiding magistrate R. Mendy handed down the sentence to Sainabou Bojang after the court heard evidence that she deliberately heated oil and waited until the victim, Sulayman Savage, was asleep before pouring it on him.
According to the court, the act was carried out without provocation and demonstrated a significant level of planning. The court further noted that Bojang attempted to flee the scene after the incident but was later apprehended.
Medical evidence presented during proceedings indicated that the victim sustained severe burns to the left side of his face, neck and upper limb. The court heard that Savage was hospitalised for 13 days, requiring daily medical treatment and dressings.
Magistrate Mendy observed that the victim continued to suffer physical pain and emotional distress, stating that the scars sustained would remain a lasting reminder of the attack.
Although the court acknowledged that Bojang was a first-time offender who showed remorse and admitted to the offence, the magistrate ruled that the seriousness of the crime warranted a firm sentence.
“No person has the right to inflict such injuries and pain on another person, especially unprovoked,” the magistrate said.
Relying on Section 196 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, the court sentenced Bojang to four years’ imprisonment and ordered her to pay compensation of D100,000 to the victim. Failure to pay the compensation will result in an additional one-month prison term.
The magistrate said the sentence was necessary to send a clear message that acts of violence would be met with the full force of the law and reminded both parties of their right to appeal.
