Albertine Leo abduction case: Leang Win Son pleads not guilty
Leang Win Son, 31, pleaded not guilty to charges of abducting and illegally confining six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui last month.
The charges were presented to him in Mandarin before Sessions Judge Rasidah Ruslee on Aug 8.
Leang was charged under Section 363 of the Penal Code for abducting and illegally confining Leo. This offense carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine, if convicted.
After Leang pleaded not guilty to the charges, Rasidah set bail at RM20,000 and ordered him to surrender his passport.
He must report to the nearest police station monthly until the case is resolved and must not contact any prosecution witnesses.
In addition, Leang faced six other charges under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 in the same court. Johor prosecution director Ghafar Ab Latif is handling the case, while lawyers Ungku Ahmad Hafis Ungku Fathil and Nur Zafirah Norizan are representing Leang.
Leang also faced an additional six charges under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
The victim’s mother and other relatives attended the courtroom to observe the proceedings.
Leang was re-arrested on Aug 4 after police discovered various sex toys, adult pornography, and child sexual abuse material at his home in Kulai.
He was held in custody for additional investigation under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 292 of the Penal Code.
The suspect was previously remanded for 13 days, from July 23 to Aug 5, to assist with investigations under Section 365 of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Following this period, he was granted release on police bail.
Leo went missing on the evening of July 20 during an event at Eco Galleria in Iskandar Puteri.
On July 23, police located her at a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, about 370 kilometres from her last known location.
They also apprehended Leang who was found in the same hotel room as Leo.
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