SEREMBAN: A teenager who caused the deaths of three young motorcyclists after running a red light has been sentenced to undergo rehabilitation for three years at the Henry Gurney School in Melaka.
On Wednesday (June 24), Magistrate Nurul Azuin Mohd Talhah also ordered the parents of the now 18-year-old offender to pay RM2,000 in compensation to each of the three victims' families.
Upon completing his sentence, the youth must undergo one year of mandatory supervision by a Social Welfare Department rehabilitation officer.
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His mother was also ordered to post a RM4,000 good behaviour bond to ensure his compliance during the rehabilitation period.
The accused had claimed trial when charged in April last year with causing the deaths of Muhammad Aidil Ramdan Abdullah, 15, Muhammad Aswari Lotpi, 16, and Aisar Azim Abdullah, 17, at the Taman Matahari junction along Jalan Persiaran Senawang 1 near here.
The crash happened around 8.30pm on March 6.
The charge under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a jail term of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000 upon conviction.
The youth filed a representation but the Attorney General's Chambers rejected it in November.
On Dec 17, he changed his plea and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Hafiza Ishak told reporters when met after the ruling that the prosecution had asked the court to send the young offender to prison as he had committed a serious offence.
She told the court that this was allowed as the teenager was now 18 years and nine months old.
"The teenager's mother was asked to put up a bond of good behaviour for her son as provided for under Section 93(1) of the Child Act 2001.
"The court also ordered the mother to visit her son at the Henry Gurney School once every month," she said.
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She said the defence had asked the court for a good behaviour bond while the Welfare Department had proposed that he be sent to the Henry Gurney School.
Noor Hafiza said the prosecution had also asked the court to allow the families of the victims to read impact statements as provided for under Section 183A of the Criminal Procedure Code before sentencing.
She said the court also fined the teenager RM2,000 in default one month's jail for driving without a licence.
The accused's lawyer, Johan Radzi, said the defence had asked for a good behaviour bond as his client was still recovering from his injuries.
"Based on the physiotherapy report I received, he (has)... limited movement, including not being able to stand for too long, due to (a fracture and) other injuries following the crash.
"The court told us there is a clinic and other health facilities at the Henry Gurney School, so there is no need to worry," he added.
Johan said the court also refused a stay request as the defence was planning to appeal the decision.
