KUALA LUMPUR: Three men have claimed trial to a charge of causing grievous hurt to a man at a restaurant in Kepong after they claimed he gave them the "side eye".
A video clip of the incident went viral on social media last week.
Carpenter Wong Weng Luen, 49, technician Lai Kae Bin, 33, and memorial centre worker Wan Ken Fei, 30, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to them before Sessions judge Noridah Adam here on Thursday (May 14).
They were jointly charged with intentionally causing grievous hurt to Andrew Teh Tiek Hua, 49, at a restaurant on Jalan Kepong, Metro Prima, at 2am on May 7.
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The charge was filed under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison term of 20 years, as well as a possible fine or caning, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Eleena Jamaluddin Akbal did not offer bail, arguing that the offence was serious and non-bailable.
"If bail is granted to these accused persons, there is a risk they may flee and interfere with the victim in this case," she submitted.
Defence lawyer S. Narasimhan, representing all three accused, appealed for bail, arguing that his clients had fully cooperated with authorities and that the court had discretion to do so.
"Although this case has gone viral, it does not automatically mean the accused should be denied bail.
"In this matter, the accused surrendered themselves and should be allowed to be released on bail," he said.
Also present was lawyer Chia Hui Ming, holding a watching brief for the victim.
Judge Noridah denied bail and set June 15 for the next case mention, pending the submission of documents.
Earlier, a CCTV recording had gone viral on social media, showing three individuals attacking a man, causing him injuries, after allegedly claiming the victim had been staring at them sideways while they were eating at a restaurant in Kepong. – Bernama
