The two Chinese nationals were yesterday accused of unlawfully assaulting an 11-year-old girl after accusing her of trying to shoplift in their Croal Street store.
The allegation against Jiang Ping Ren, 32, and her husband Jun Zhang, 42, is that on January 4, at Croal Street, Georgetown, they unlawfully assaulted the girl. The jointly-charged Ren and Zhang,who denied the charge when it was read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, were released on $80,000 bail each.
Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt said that the police’s case is that on the day in question, the 11-year-old girl entered the couple’s store to view swimsuits and they subsequently accused her of being a thief.
According to Hunt, she was later dealt cuffs, slaps and kicks by the defendants. The prosecution added that the child was also spat upon by them.
Attorney Satyesh Kissoon, who represented the couple, sought bail for them, telling the court that his clients had no previous or pending matters, posed no risk of flight and had been cooperating with police investigations.
Kissoon opined that the parents of the lass should have been charged since she is a minor and they are responsible for her.
When asked if there were objections to the defendants being granted their pre-trial liberty, Prosecutor Hunt said no. The prosecutor, however, asked that the defendants visit the Brickdam Police Station every Friday at 3pm, pending the conclusion of the matter.
After listening to submissions, the magistrate granted the prosecution’s request and the defendants were admitted to bail and ordered to return to court on January 28.
