A young apprentice mechanic of 18 years, B. Sène, domiciled at Maristes, appeared before the tribunal d’instance de Dakar for the alleged acts of sexual abuse of a minor against a student of the CEM Maristes. The verdict is expected on 23 June, while the parquet requires two years of prison, of which three months are closed.. According to the complainant’s account, the situation deteriorated after a relationship of trust had been established on a sports field, where the accused regularly played football with the pupils. On 12 June, the teenager affirms having been invited to B’s home. Sène, une maison en construction, where ce dernier lui aurait demandé de baisser son pantalon. (Sène, a house under construction, where the latter would have asked him to lower his pants.) In panic, the boy fled the scene and alerted the principal of his establishment, who led him to the gendarmerie. At the bar, the accused denied any sexual intent, affirming that he simply wanted to recover a stolen balloon. His defense pleads the maladresse d’un jeune homme sans perversité, while the prosecution insists on the gravity and the coherence of the minor’s testimony. This trial brought to light the limits of discernment in some young adults, and the need to protect minors in contexts of misplaced authority or trust.
The Court of First Instance has ruled in favour of the applicant.
