Justice Simon Abi has acquitted and discharged Nelson Mendy, a native of Lamin village on a solitary count of defilement.
The court gave benefit of doubt to Mr Mendy and acquitted him, saying that prosecution had failed to prove that the accused had sexual intercourse with the girl on the day of the incident.
“I found the accused not guilty of the charge and he is acquitted and discharge,” the judge said.
Mr Mendy was arraigned at the high court in January 2014. He pleaded not guilty to the offence two weeks later. Four witnesses testified for the prosecution, including the survivor and her mother. The acquit testified in his defence but did not call any witness.
A Judicial source told The Standard that Mr Mendy, who had been held at Mile 2 Central Prison throughout the trial, would be released later in the day. He was represented by Edward Singhateh.
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