An 18-year-old man has been charged after allegedly abducting a teenage girl outside a secondary school in Melbourne, Australia, in what police claim was an attempt to force her into marriage without her consent.
The accused, Ayom Deng, was arrested on Wednesday and is alleged to have been driving the vehicle involved in the incident while he was already out on bail for a separate offence.
According to investigators, the alleged abduction took place early on Friday morning outside Keysborough Secondary College. Police claim a 15-year-old boy approached the teenage girl before allegedly forcing her into a waiting vehicle, which then sped away from the scene.
The victim was later rescued and taken to hospital for medical assessment. Police have not disclosed the extent of her injuries.
Court documents allege that Deng intended to marry the girl against her will. He has been charged with abduction with intent to marry without consent, kidnapping, unlawful detention, false imprisonment, committing an indictable offence while on bail, and driving without a valid licence.
During court proceedings, Deng’s defence lawyer said his client had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The lawyer also told the court that Deng had previously been imprisoned and was considered vulnerable because of his age and appearance.
The 15-year-old co-accused has also been charged with abduction and is expected to face proceedings in a children’s court.
In a statement, police alleged that the teenage girl was forced into the vehicle before it fled the area. Authorities also confirmed that the individuals involved were believed to have known one another prior to the incident.
Investigations into the case are continuing.
