By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx) and Mariama Marong
Five young men have been sentenced to fines and custodial terms by the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to stunt driving and related traffic offences that caused chaos in Jabang.
Senior Magistrate I. Jallow handed down the sentences on Monday, stressing that the reckless actions endangered public safety, disrupted traffic, and damaged vehicles.
The five convicts are Momodou Martin Sanyang, Serigne Mass Gaye, Muhammed Bah, Ismaila Faal, and Samba Ceesay.
The court heard that they were part of a convoy of drivers engaged in “drifting” and other stunts that brought traffic to a standstill.
Assistant Commissioner Manga appeared for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), assisted by Inspectors L. Barrow, B. Jarju, and M. Jarju. The accused were represented by lawyers L. Jaiteh and J. Drammeh.
Momodou Martin Sanyang: Convicted of reckless and dangerous driving. Fined D25,000 and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Serigne Mass Gaye: Convicted on two counts. For unlicensed driving, fined D1,000 plus 3 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. For reckless and dangerous driving, fined D25,000 and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Muhammed Bah: Convicted on two counts. For unauthorised use of tinted glass, fined D20,000 with a default of 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. For reckless and dangerous driving, fined D25,000 and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Ismaila Faal: Convicted on two counts. For reckless and dangerous driving, fined D25,000 and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. For unauthorised use of tinted glass, fined D20,000 with a default of 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Samba Ceesay: Convicted of reckless and dangerous driving. Fined D25,000 and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
In her judgment, Magistrate Jallow clarified that while the law does not mandate imprisonment for some of the offences, the gravity of the conduct warranted stern punishment.
She stressed that the role of the court is to uphold and apply the law, not to create it, noting that sentencing must remain within the framework provided by the National Assembly.
On the convicts’ plea for leniency, Magistrate Jallow considered that they were first-time offenders who admitted guilt early, saving the court’s time. Nonetheless, she emphasised that stunt driving is a dangerous trend that poses serious risks to lives and property, and a strong deterrent response was necessary.
“The introduction of stunt driving into our society poses huge risks to lives and property. Although no lives were lost in this incident, the scale of the chaos and public concern it generated cannot be ignored,” she said.
The court ordered that the first and second convicts serve their custodial sentences at Jeshwang Prison due to their age.
