The main suspect behind the kidnapping of 6-year-old Leo Jia Hui back on July 20 was hauled to the Johor Baru Court Complex today to face a slew of charges.
Dressed in a black T-shirt and a pair of denim jeans, the suspect was brought to court at around 8am by several police officers while trying to hide his face from reporters at the scene.
Suspect in Leo Jia Hui’s kidnapping face 15 charges
According to NST, the 31-year-old suspect is expected to face a total of 15 charges, eight of which will be read out at the Johor Baru Sessions Court and the remaining seven charges at the Kulai Magistrate’s Court.
He’s facing one charge under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping a child from lawful guardianship and another under Section 346 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement.
Another seven charges were framed under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possession of obscene materials.
He also faces four other charges pertaining to obtaining, collecting, or soliciting child sexual abuse material under Section 8(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
As for the remaining two charges, one was for obtaining, collecting, or soliciting child sexual abuse material, one charge under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while the other is under Section 15(a)(ii) of the same act.
Jia Hui’s mum: ‘I don’t know him’
Jia Hui’s mum Leo Qieo Xin, who also turned up in court to attend the proceedings, was asked by reporters whether she was acquainted with the suspect.
In response, she simply answered, “No, I don’t know who he is.”
The suspect was first arrested on July 23 when police found Jia Hui at a hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, after an intense three-day search.
He was then remanded for seven days, but later saw his remand period extended for another six days. However, he was rearrested on Aug 4 after police found child porn at his home.
As for Jia Hui, she is said to be suffering from “severe psychological trauma” following the kidnapping:
