The Mansakonko Magistrate Court has handed down multiple jail terms in separate criminal matters prosecuted by police in the Lower River Region, including a five-year custodial sentence in a conspiracy case.

Presiding over the cases, Magistrate D. Gomez delivered sentences ranging from one month to five years following guilty pleas and concluded prosecutions.

Assan Jallow, a Senegalese national arrested in Soma during an intelligence-led operation linked to burglary investigations, was convicted of escape from lawful custody after pleading guilty.

The court handed him one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

In a related matter, Jallow and his co-accused, Matarr, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit felony and attempt to commit felony.

The court handed down a combined five-year prison sentence.

Similarly, Lamin Bah was convicted of escape from lawful custody and sentenced to one month in prison.

In a separate proceeding, Bah pleaded guilty to conspiracy and stealing and was handed a three-year custodial sentence.

The court further ordered Bah to compensate the complainant D64,000 for stolen property. Failure to pay the amount will result in an additional one-year imprisonment term.

His co-accused, Yaya Camara, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody after bail was denied.

Meanwhile, Sulayman Sanyang, charged with possession of suspected stolen property, denied the allegation and was granted bail under strict conditions requiring two Gambian sureties with valid identification documents.

Police authorities say the swift progression from arrest to conviction highlights strengthened collaboration between the Gambia Police Force and the judiciary in upholding accountability and reinforcing the rule of law.

By Adama Makasuba