Suspect in kidnapping of six-year-old Albertine Leo faces 15 charges

MALAYSIA: The main suspect in the kidnapping of six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui, Leang Win Son, was present at the Johor Bahru Complex at 8 am on Wednesday (8 Aug).

The 31-year-old is facing 15 charges in separate courts in Johor Bahru and Kulai.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Berita Harian reported that eight of these charges will be heard in the Sessions Court in Johor Bahru, while the remaining seven will be addressed in the Kulai Magistrate’s Court.

On 7 August, Johor Police Chief Commissioner M Kumar confirmed that the suspect would be charged today after two investigation papers were referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office, which instructed that Leang be charged with 15 offenses.

Leang will face one charge under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping a child from lawful custody and another charge under Section 346 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement.

He is also set to face seven charges under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possessing obscene materials.

Additionally, he will face four charges under Section 8(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for obtaining, collecting, or soliciting child sexual abuse materials; one charge under Section 10 of the same act for possessing child sexual abuse materials; and one charge under Section 15(a)(ii).

Plea and Bail

Local news outlet The Sun reported that Leang, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Leang then claimed trial to the two charges, and bail was set at RM20,000 (approximately US$4,473.28) by Sessions Judge Rasidah Ruslee.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court, report to the nearest police station once a month until the case concludes, and avoid contact with any prosecution witnesses.

Leang was subsequently taken to the Kulai Magistrate’s Court under police escort to face additional charges.

Suspect Arrested in Budget Hotel in Batang Kali

Leang was arrested at 4.45 am on 23 July at a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, where the police rescued Albertine who went missing on 20 July.

On 4 August, Leang was re-arrested after various sex toys, adult pornography, and child sexual abuse materials were found at his residence in Kulai.

Remand and Additional Suspects

The suspect was initially remanded for seven days, with an additional six-day extension for investigation under Section 365 of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Four other suspects, aged 28 to 55, were previously arrested and remanded for four days until July 26.

They were later released on police bail without further remand extensions.

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Albertine’s Recovery

Albertine’s mother has shared that her daughter is currently receiving help from a psychologist to cope with emotional stress.

Leo Qieo Xin recently posted a video on Facebook of her and Albertine at a pediatric clinic, with the caption, “Mummy will be with you.”