"I Never Thought That I Would Have Done It," says Man Convicted of Unnatural Act Involving Minor in KM

Lady Justice © Askanwi

By Fatoumata Konteh

The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court has convicted Ansumana Gassama, a Gambian adult, for engaging in an unnatural act involving a male minor in Kanifing Municipality.

Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye convicted Gassama on Tuesday, 5th August 2026, after he pleaded guilty to the charge of unnatural acts contrary to Section 122(1)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Inspector General of Police representative Cherno Baba Jallow, alleged that Gassama engaged in a sexual act with the minor, whose identity is withheld for his protection, on or about 23 July 2026 in Bakau.

Section 122(1)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025 provides that a person who engages in a sexual act with another person against the order of nature is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years.

According to the prosecution, Gassama called the minor to his residence and, upon the child’s arrival, asked him to undress before sexually assaulting him.

The court heard that the incident resulted in bleeding, after which the minor was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The matter was subsequently reported to the Bakau New Town Police Station.

Gassama was arrested shortly after the incident and, according to the prosecution, admitted during police questioning that he had committed the offence.

When the facts were presented in court, Gassama maintained his guilty plea. The court questioned him further to establish whether he understood the charge and was voluntarily admitting to the offence. He reaffirmed his guilty plea and confirmed that he was of sound mind when the offence occurred.

However, when asked to explain an earlier statement in which he had said, “It was not my intention,” Gassama responded: “I did this, but I never thought that I would have done it.”

His response formed a striking moment in the proceedings as he acknowledged committing the act while expressing that he had not anticipated that he would do so.

The prosecution tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted into evidence without objection from the accused. They included two medical certificates, Gassama’s voluntary and cautionary statements, photographs of the scene, and the minor’s birth certificate.

The court also heard that police officers who visited the scene observed bloodstains on the victim’s shirt. After the prosecution concluded its presentation of the facts and the accused continued to maintain his guilty plea, the court proceeded to conviction.

In delivering her ruling, Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye said Gassama had voluntarily maintained his guilty plea and admitted the facts presented by the prosecution.

“In the circumstances, the accused is hereby convicted as charged,” the magistrate ruled.

Gassama was subsequently remanded at Mile Two Central Prison pending mitigation and sentencing.

The case has been adjourned to 18th August 2026 for sentencing.