The criminal trial involving the state against Modou Lamin Yeranjang resumed yesterday, 21st May 2012 before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Nkea.

The accused, Modou Lamin Yeranjang sometime on the 10th of August 2011 in Sanyang village, Kombo South District, West Coast Region, had an unlawful carnal knowledge of a four-year-old girl. The prosecution led by Senior State Counsel Amnichi S. Bwala called the 2nd prosecution witness, Amado Baldeh, a police officer attached to Sanyang Police Station to testify before the court.

In his testimony, the witness recalled that sometime on the 10th August 2011, whilst he was on duty, the mother of the victim (name withheld) came to the station to lodge a complaint that her daughter was raped. The witness disclosed that he left with some other police officers; namely Bakary Njie and Modou Lamin Bah to the accused person's compound.

Upon arrival at the accused person's compound, the witness said they couldn't find him and they returned to the station. According to him, some moments later they got information that the accused was in his compound. He said they left for his compound and upon arrival conducted a search, and the accused person was found hiding under his bed.

The witness revealed that the accused was arrested and taken to the police station, where he was cautioned and charged with the offence of rape. Meanwhile, hearing continues on the 29th May 2012.