A football coach has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy he trained.

Ansumana Gassama of Bakau pleaded guilty to one count of unnatural offences under Section 122(1)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, which carries a minimum sentence of five years.

In handing down the sentence today, Principal Magistrate I. Sallah M’bai said the circumstances of the case warranted a sentence above the statutory minimum.

The court identified several aggravating factors, including the victim’s age, the coach-player relationship and Gassama’s exploitation of his position of trust to gain access to the child.

The court also considered the nature of the assault and medical evidence showing that the child suffered physical injuries.

Gassama asked for mercy during mitigation, describing the offence as a mistake he would not repeat. The court noted his youth, lack of previous convictions, guilty plea and cooperation as mitigating factors.

However, Magistrate Sallah M’bai said these factors did not outweigh the seriousness of the offence and the breach of trust involved.

The court also ordered Gassama to pay D500,000 in compensation to the victim. He will serve an additional year in prison if he fails to pay.

Gassama was initially arraigned on August 5 and was convicted after admitting the offence in court.