Mariama Marong was sentenced to three years in prison on 21 October 2026 for the theft of a three-day-old baby. Magistrate Bittaye of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court delivered the sentence following the proceedings in The Gambia. During the hearing, Mariama Marong pleaded guilty to the offence. This event, where a woman was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a three-day-old baby, concluded the legal process at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court. The defendant acknowledged her actions before the court, as the woman pleaded guilty to the offence during the formal hearing.
Legal Basis for Conviction
Magistrate Bittaye grounded the conviction of Mariama Marong in Section 136(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. This legal provision outlines the specific requirements and penalties for the crime of child abduction within the jurisdiction of The Gambia. By applying this statute, the Bundung Magistrates’ Court established the formal framework for the three-year prison sentence delivered against the defendant. The proceedings confirmed that the actions taken by Mariama Marong met the statutory definition of the offence as described in the 2025 legislation. Legal officers at the court relied on the text of Section 136(1) to reach the final judgment on 21 October 2026. The conviction was based on Section 136(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, which provides the legislative authority for the Bundung Magistrates’ Court to impose the custodial sentence. The court examined the evidence presented during the session to confirm the application of this specific act.
Compensation and Penalties
Magistrate Bittaye ordered Mariama Marong to pay D100,000 in compensation to the parents of the child. This financial penalty serves as restitution for the abduction incident addressed by the Bundung Magistrates’ Court. The court ordered the woman to pay D100,000 in compensation to the child’s parents as part of the total judgment delivered on 21 October 2026. This mandate ensures that the parents receive restitution for the incident involving their three-day-old baby.
Failure to satisfy the payment of D100,000 will result in an additional month of imprisonment for Mariama Marong. The court mandated this secondary term to ensure compliance with the ordered compensation. Failure to pay the compensation will result in an additional month of imprisonment, extending the total time spent in custody by the defendant. The Bundung Magistrates’ Court issued this directive to enforce the restitution order. All terms of the judgment were finalised on 21 October 2026. This full sentencing structure, encompassing both the three-year prison term and the financial liability, was established by Magistrate Bittaye to address the gravity of the child abduction case within The Gambia. The judicial process concluded with these specific requirements, ensuring that the defendant remains accountable for the incident.
