Thiès: Caught red-handed attempting to steal, an electrician sentenced to one month in prison

S. Kâ, a building electrician, appeared this Wednesday before the Thiès court for flagrant offenses on charges of attempted theft. He is accused of having attempted to burglarize the home of N. Manga, accompanied by his friend Cheikh, who did not appear at the hearing.

In court, the defendant categorically denied the charges. According to his version of events, he was walking down the street with his friend when Ms. N. Manga crossed their path and shouted "Thief!" He claims that Cheikh immediately fled, causing him to run as well. "I didn't even understand why Cheikh was running. I finally asked him to stop. I don't know this woman and I've never been to her house," he maintained.

A version disputed by the plaintiff. N. Manga recounted that she had just returned home from work, around noon, when she heard suspicious noises inside her house. “I shouted, ‘Who’s there?’ and they fell silent. As I moved forward, I caught them forcing the door open with a hammer and chisel. They fled, and I chased after them, shouting ‘Thieves!’” she stated.

She explained that the two individuals had climbed the wall to gain access to the house. Although they did not manage to enter the building, they damaged the door lock. After their escape, she alerted the police, who went to the scene to conduct an investigation. She is claiming 50,000 FCFA in damages.

Witness Mr. Ndiaye confirmed that he heard the woman's cries while he was in his workshop. He then saw S. Kâ and his companion running. He chased them and managed to apprehend them in front of the neighborhood chief's house. The witness also stated that the gendarmerie took them to the scene to assess the damage, including the broken lock.

In his submissions, the public prosecutor requested the application of the law.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, the court found S. Kâ guilty and sentenced him to one month in prison. He will also have to pay the plaintiff 25,000 FCFA in damages.