Four convicted of kidnapping housewife to know fate on Sept 6

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SIBU: The four persons convicted by the High Court here of kidnapping a housewife in 2010 will know their fate before Judge Datuk Yew Jen Kie on Sept 6.

One of their defence counsels David Kuok yesterday requested for judgment to be deferred to enable him to prepare a proper statement of mitigation.

In allowing the request, the judge said she also wanted to hear what the victim had to say before meting out the sentence on the accused.

She also wanted the deputy public prosecutor to inform the victim to come personally to the court on Sept 6.

The accused — Ting Khai Sin, 20, Lun King Wen, 23, Tan Teng Chiew, 28, and Wee Nyet Lung, 26 — were charged under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carry the death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping upon conviction.

The judge said: “At the conclusion of the case, and upon perusing the submission and evaluation of all the evidence adduced during the trial, I disbelieve the accused persons.”

She also said that she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

David Kuok, representing Ting, urged the court not to impose capital punishment on his client.

The others were represented by Wong Sing Nang, Wee Wui Kiat and Roger Lau.

According to the brief facts of case, about 9.30am on July 17, 2010, Ting and three others had reached a consensus to abduct a 47-year-old housewife, Wong, for a ransom of RM53,400.

They rammed their vehicle into Wong’s car in front of a school to make it look like an accident.

They agreed to compensate Wong for the damage to her car.

A female member of the group offered to drive Wong’s car to a garage of their choice while Wong followed them in their vehicle.

However, Wong was brought to a house where they demanded money from her.

When Wong said she did not have the amount they wanted, they threatened her with a knife and demanded that she tell her relatives to bank in the money.

She did as they wanted and was freed around 7pm the same day.