Just recently, a female e-hailing driver was allegedly assaulted by a group of teenagers, after refusing to pay for their fare.
E-hailing driver allegedly assaulted by teenagers
According to District Police Chief Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar, the 41-year-old woman sustained bruises, swelling and strangulation marks following the assault at around 12:30 a.m. on May 4.
The victim had accepted a ride request via an e-hailing app to transport four passengers from Bukit Rambai to Pekan Kuala Sungai Baru. The suspects consisted of two 14-year-old girls and two boys aged 15 and 17, with one of them still attending school.
Hit by blunt object, strangled with cloth
Superintendent Ahmad said the situation turned suspicious when, near a forested area, one of the teenagers asked the driver to stop, claiming they were waiting for someone to transfer money into their account. Concerned, the female driver began recording the interaction on her mobile phone before the suspects re-entered the vehicle.
Image credits: NST
The situation escalated when three of the teenagers allegedly became violent, striking the victim with a blunt object and attempting to strangle her using a cloth from behind the driver’s seat. The 15-year-old boy reportedly did not return to the car and fled the scene during the incident.
Despite being warned not to resist or call for help, the female driver managed to escape by driving away and later reported the matter to the police. She subsequently received medical treatment for injuries to her nose, neck and both hands, which occurred during the struggle.
Suspects remanded pending further action
“All four suspects have been taken into custody and remanded until tomorrow, pending further instructions from the deputy public prosecutor,” Superintendent Ahmad stated.
The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means, which can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine, whipping, or any combination of these punishments upon conviction.
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