Freetown, Sierra Leone — Lindon Thomas, a Sierra Leonean photographer, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, 19th May 2025. He faces three charges including robbery with aggravation, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Thomas is accused of robbing Joseph Thoronka on Sunday, 16th February 2025, at Waterloo in the Western Rural District. According to the charge, Thomas, armed with a syringe, allegedly stole a motorbike (registration number ASZ 735) valued at sixteen thousand Leones (Le 16,000), a Techno Pop 2 mobile phone worth two thousand five hundred Leones (Le 2,500), and five hundred and forty Leones (Le 540) in cash, totaling nineteen thousand and forty Leones (Le 19,040). The prosecution also alleges that he used personal violence against Thoronka immediately before the robbery.
The second count accuses Thomas of maliciously wounding Thoronka on the same date and place, while the third charge alleges assault causing actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read, the accused declined to enter a plea.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan M.S. Bull led the prosecution witness, David Kargbo, who testified that Thomas is his younger brother. David recalled searching for his brother after failing to find him at home on the night of February 16th. Concerned about his whereabouts and inability to reach him by phone, David searched several locations until he received a call from a woman named Mammy Isata in Waterloo. She informed him that his brother was critically injured.
David described his brother’s condition as severe, noting swelling of the face and feet, blackened nails, blood in his urine, and loss of bodily control. Thomas reportedly identified a “bad man” who had attacked him, someone he had known for over three years.
Following the discovery, David took Thomas to Congo Cross Police Station and later to the hospital. Police arrested the accused based on the testimony and identification by the victim.
During cross-examination, defense counsel T. Foday Musa Esq. renewed a bail application for Thomas. However, Magistrate Bangura denied bail due to the gravity of the charges and remanded Thomas to the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The case is scheduled for continuation on 26th May 2025.
