Three teens claim trial to kidnapping seven-year-old boy in JB

Jonathan Yet, 18, (behind, light grey shirt) together with two underage accused aged 17 (front, dark grey shirt) and 16 (middle, black and orange shirt) arriving at the Johor Baru Magistrate Court for the charge of kidnapping a seven-year-old boy.

JOHOR BARU: Three teenagers have been charged at a Magistrate's Court here with kidnapping a seven-year-old boy earlier this month.

Jonathan Yet, 18, and two underage accused aged 16 and 17, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to them in Mandarin before Magistrate R. Salini on Wednesday (Dec 27).

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According to the charge sheet, the trio kidnapped a seven-year-old boy from his lawful guardian and the crime was allegedly committed at Jalan Serampang, Johor Baru, at 5.15pm on Dec 12.

The charge is framed under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping, read together with Section 34 of the same legislation for a criminal act committed by several persons with a common intention.

It carries a term of up to seven years' imprisonment or a fine upon conviction.

The prosecution was conducted by DPP Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail, while the accused were not represented.

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Earlier, during the proceeding, Shamira requested bail at RM8,000 for each accused with one surety.

The trio, in mitigation, requested lower bail.

The court then set bail at RM2,500 for each accused with one surety; with the surety for the two underage accused being their parents.

The court also set Jan 23 for the next mention and for the accused to appoint counsel.

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The court also ordered them to undergo social and moral evaluation by the Social Welfare Department.

On Dec 20, Johor Baru South police chief Asst Comm Raub Selamat said three teenagers had been detained on suspicion of abetting an abduction attempt on a seven-year-old boy on Dec 12.

A Chinese national with Singapore permanent resident status suffered serious injuries while trying to save his son from being kidnapped by a group of men.

The boy was not injured.

The main suspect, a 41-year-old who is believed to be the partner of the victim's father, was detained in front of the Taman Pelangi police station at 8pm the same day.