Rex V. Jonathan Cole (1942)

LawGlobal Hub Judgment Report – West African Court of Appeal

Criminal law—Carnal knowledge of girl under thriteen, contrary Appeal from to section 6 of Children’s Ordinance, 1926 (Sierra Leone)— Criminal Corroborative evidence to connect appellant with the crime.

Facts

Two girls, Degbeh and Jawan, aged thirteen and ten years respectively, gave sworn testimony that for money received the appellant had had carnal knowledge of Degbeh. The evidence given by these girls z-onflicted in important details, • but Jawan’s testimony did connect the appellant with the crime committed against Degbeh.

Held

Although there were serious discrepancies in the evidence of the two principal witnesses; Degbeh and Jawan, there was ample evidence upon which the jury could come to the conclusion which they did.

Appeal dismissed.