A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a six-year-old girl.

Momodou Yerro Baldeh was handed the sentence by the High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Jaiteh.

The court heard that on October 10, 2023, at London Corner, Baldeh lured the victim into his room with the promise of five dalasi before sexually assaulting her.

During the trial, which began after his not guilty plea in December 2023, the prosecution called six witnesses.

Key testimony came from the victim, now seven, who described being pulled into the accused’s room after being sent on an errand. Her grandmother testified that she discovered bloodstains on the child’s undergarments the following morning.

Medical evidence presented by Dr Ismaila Touray further strengthened the prosecution’s case. Dr Touray confirmed signs of severe blunt mechanical trauma, and partial disruption of the hymenal ring, findings consistent with sexual assault.

The victim’s 10-year-old sisteralso testified that she saw the accused pull her sister into his room and lock the door on the day of the incident.

The defence, led by Counsel A. Jarju, argued that the allegations were fabricated.

In his defence, Baldeh claimed the victim’s grandmother had coached the children to testify against him following a dispute over rent and his rejection of her alleged advances.

He maintained his innocence throughout, describing himself as a pious man of good character.

Despite an impassioned plea for mitigation by Counsel A. Jarju based on the accused’s age, first-offender status and responsibility for nine children, Justice Jaiteh held that such factors carry “little or no mitigating weight” in cases involving the violation of a child.

Justice Jaiteh emphasised that rape of a child carries a mandatory life sentence. In imposing the sentence, he stated that the court must remain uncompromising in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.

“This sentence is imposed not only to punish the offender, now in the twilight of life, but also to deter others, uphold the rule of law, and protect the most vulnerable members of society,” Justice Jaiteh stated.