Tuesday August 28, 2012

Man and Chinese girlfriend to enter defence over kidnap case

By JOSEPHINE JALLEH
josephine@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here has ordered a 35-year-old man and his girlfriend to enter their defence into a charge of kidnapping a nine-year-old boy nearly three years ago.

Judicial Commissioner Mohd Amin Firdaus Abdullah said the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against Lai Khan Nei and Chinese national Gao Bingju, 25.

“There is enough circumstantial evidence to show the pair had the intent to abduct the child and to demand for ransom through phone and SMS,” Mohd Amin said in his decision yesterday.

He added that the two had some of the ransom money when they were caught in Genting Highlands.

Lai and Gao are accused of kidnapping the boy, now 12, at a house in Taman Gemilang Ria in Bukit Tengah, Bukit Mertajam, for a RM200,000 ransom.

The offence, under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, was allegedly committed at about 5.30pm on Dec 19, 2009.

Mohd Amin said the victim was playing badminton when a car came by and a woman, wearing a ski mask, alighted and whisked him into the car.

“The court finds there is enough circumstantial evidence in the testimony to show the identity of the accused,” he said, adding that the ransom money was found in the houses where the two accused stayed.

Mohd Amin said Lai’s hair was found in the car while Gao’s was found in a room where the victim was held.

Ku Abdul Rahman is representing Lai and Gao while deputy public prosecutors Shakila Banu Shaik Allaudeen and S. Selvaranjini prosecuted.

The hearing continues on Sept 24 and Sept 25.

News

Tuesday August 28, 2012

Man and Chinese girlfriend to enter defence over kidnap case

By JOSEPHINE JALLEH josephine@thestar.com.my

By JOSEPHINE JALLEH
josephine@thestar.com.my