GEORGE TOWN: A 29-year-old coffee shop assistant accused of ramming 12 vehicles while fleeing from police in Penang last week has been charged in court.
He pleaded not guilty to all 14 charges in two Magistrate's Courts before Magistrates Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi and Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi.
S. Prasaanndh is accused of intentionally obstructing a police officer from carrying out his duties at Jalan Tanjung Bungah at 9am on April 30. He was charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Prasaanndh was also charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving a Kia Forte recklessly from Jalan Persiaran Gurney to Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru at 9am on April 30.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM15,000, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years.
He was also charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code with 12 counts of mischief for ramming 12 cars at Jalan Persiaran Gurney, Jalan Nagore, Jalan Sungai Pinang, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Jalan Pangkor and Jalan Burma, causing damages estimated at between RM380 and RM2,000, from 9am to 10.20am on April 30.
The charge under Section 427 provides for imprisonment of between one and five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
His lawyer told the court the accused is married with a seven-year-old child and works as a coffee shop assistant with an unstable income, and requested minimal bail.
The magistrates allowed bail totalling RM76,000 for the 14 charges.
As he was unable to post bail, he was remanded in prison pending the next mention date on June 15 for submission of documents.
Last week, a 43-second video went viral on social media showing a man driver who hit 12 vehicles in George Town while being pursued by a patrol car for over 20km before escaping.
