By: Dawda M. Jallow
One Muhammad Leigh was yesterday fined D100,000 by the Kanifing Magistrate Court after pleading guilty to assault charges.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Sallah M’Bai, Mr. Leigh pleaded guilty of assaulting Ousman Jarra with a broken bottle.
Leigh was charged under Section 228 of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 2009 for causing actual bodily harm.
Shortly before the verdict, the accused explained that he had a heavy responsibility toward his family following his father’s death, and that his mother and younger siblings depend on him for their livelihood. He asked the court to temper justice with mercy.
The prosecution, represented by Sergeant 4195 Amadou Baldeh on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), informed the court that Leigh was a first-time offender, noting that this should be considered as a mitigating factor.
The complainant, Ousman Jarra, told the court that his right eye has been damaged, affecting his vision and putting him at risk.
Taking both mitigating and aggravating factors into account, Principal Magistrate Sallah M’Bai sentenced Muhammad Leigh to pay a fine of D100,000. If he defaults in payment, he will serve two months in prison. The court also ordered Leigh to pay D150,000 in compensation to Jarra, with failure to pay resulting in an additional two months’ imprisonment. Both sentences are to run consecutively.
In delivering judgment, the magistrate emphasized that the sentence aimed to serve as a deterrent to others, punish the offender, and reinforce societal awareness that violent acts are unacceptable. “Everyone deserves to live safely. Committing such crimes is a serious offence and must be stopped to protect lives within the community,” Principal Magistrate M’Bai stated.
The incident occurred in 2024 in Serrekunda, Kanifing Municipality, when Leigh allegedly assaulted Jarra by stabbing him in the right eye with a broken bottle, causing actual bodily harm.
