Senegalese native Momodou Yerro Balde, 62, appeared before Banjul high court judge Ebrima Jaiteh Wednesday to answer to charges of rape. Balde hails from Medina Gounass.

The man, who lives in London Corner in Serekunda, is accused of forcing a 6-year-old girl to perform a sexual act in October 2023 by sticking his finger inside her vagina.

The victim’s grandmother testified in court Wednesday that while washing her grandchild in preparation for school, she saw bloodstains on her pants.

In her testimony, the victim’s small girl stated that Balde had poked her vagina with his finger and had instructed her not to tell anyone about it when she questioned the victim about the source of the bloodstains.

The witness testified in court that she subsequently alerted the victim’s mother about the situation. After being examined at Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, she subsequently gave a police report.