An 18-year-old man has appeared in court after allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old girl outside her school in Melbourne, with the stated intention of marrying her against her will, according to multiple Australian news outlets.
Incident Outside School
Ayom Deng, 18, was arrested by police at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 1, and appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court later that same day, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The alleged abduction occurred on Friday, June 26, at approximately 8:30 a.m., when the 17-year-old girl was entering Keysborough Secondary College in Melbourne. She was approached by a male who forced her into a vehicle and then fled the scene.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Deng, who was on bail at the time of the alleged incident, is accused of driving the vehicle used in the abduction. He faces charges of abduction, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and committing an indictable offence while on bail. According to a charge sheet released by the court and reported by Australian news outlets, Deng is specifically charged with abducting the teenage girl “with the intent of marrying … without her consent.” The documents further state that he is accused of detaining her “against her will.” Additionally, Deng is charged with driving on a highway without a valid driver’s licence or permit, as per ABC.
Defense and Remand
Deng’s defense lawyer informed the court that his client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is considered vulnerable due to his age and appearance. The lawyer also noted that this is not Deng’s first time in custody. Deng did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court again in September.
Second Arrest
A 15-year-old boy has also been charged in connection with the abduction and will appear in a children’s court at a later date. The relationship between the two suspects has not been disclosed by police.
