Juveniles to be tested after drug, molestation charges

Abu Dhabi: The verdicts in the cases of two teenage defendants charged with drug abuse and child molestation, will be postponed while they are assessed psychologically.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court ruled that a 16-year-old charged with drug abuse and a 17-year-old facing child molestation charges and threatening to kill the victim, will be assessed to determine whether they need rehabilitation.

The 16-year-old suspect was first reported to the police by his father who claimed that his son had been taking narcotics and requested that he be treated for the condition. The defendant admitted to using Tramadol although several other mind-altering drugs were said to have been found in his system.

The court consequently decided to halt the trials for a year while the defendant undergoes psychiatric and social tests to determine his motives for committing the alleged crime at such an early age and to assess his overall situation.

In the second case, the father of a 10-year-old boy approached authorities claiming that the 17-year-old suspect had molested his son, causing him physical harm by beating and threatening to kill him.

According to Judicial Department documents, the 10-year-old boy’s testimony said the physical abuse happened while he was in an elevator with the suspect.

After refusing to go with the teenager to the staircase, the boy said the defendant then dragged him to the staircase beating him and trying to rape him, until he heard noises and fled.

The court decided to grant the suspect six months while he is checked into a specialised centre where he will undergo tests to find out the reasons behind his crimes and the preventative measures that could be taken.