Kuntaur Wharf Town in the Central River Region of The Gambia was on Thursday the scene for startling revelations as proceedings gets underway in an alleged rape case.

Travelling Magistrate Amadou Baldeh on Thursday of last week began hearing testimonies in the case of a 37-year-old Guinean national on suspicion of raping a 10-year-old girl.

The suspect, Augustine Biyofa, had denied the allegations.

Giving evidence in the case at a well-attended court session in Kuntaur Wharf Town, the first prosecution witness, Momodou Jallow, cast his mind back to August of last year.

“It was in the afternoon and I was just from the riverside. As I undressed and tried to wash my clothes, I heard a little girl crying. As the cries intensified, I went to Augustus’ house only to see him on top of the little girl,” said the witness. Said he: “It was then that I chased the girl out and I then proceeded to mosque. Upon my return, I was informed that the accused was threatening to take my life by letting the girl off him. He rained insults on me and even intended to engage me in a fight. It was later that he was arrested and taken to the police station.”

Also testifying in the case, the father to the little child recounted that it was on a St. Mary’s Day when he encountered the suspect whilst going home with his daughter.

“When we encountered him, Augustus gave the child D5, saying that Assumption Day is a holy day.

“On our way home, the child told me that she had forgotten her comb at where she was braiding her hair and I therefore asked her to go for it. After sometime, news came that an attempt of rape was made to my daughter by the accused.” 

The case resumes on 10 July 2008 to enable prosecutor Cpl 1260 Colley call in more prosecution witnesses.