JOHOR BARU: Four men, including a 16-year-old schoolboy, pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering motorists by setting off fireworks on a main road in Skudai.
P. Ruban, 20, S. Tharun, 18, H. Periuthiv, 19, and the teenager entered their pleas after separate charges were read before four magistrates.
They were accused of setting off fireworks towards the road in a manner that could endanger public safety.
The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Skudai-Gelang Patah, near the Taman Nesa traffic lights, at 1.30am on Nov 8.
The three adults were charged under Section 286 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum six-month jail term or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
The teenager faces the same charge but is subject to sentencing provisions under the Child Act 2001.
Deputy public prosecutors Eizlan Azhar, Adilah Farzana Che Ad, Izdhiyah Zahirah Ahmad Ghazali and Nor Hidayah Mohd Tarmizi sought bail of between RM3,000 and RM10,000.
Defence counsel T. Monisha Dhaarcayinii, who represented all four accused, sought lower bail, saying they had permanent addresses and were not flight risks.
She said Ruban was employed, while Tharun and Periuthiv were unemployed and had no income. The youngest accused was a Form Four student.
The court granted bail ranging from RM1,500 to RM3,000 for each accused and fixed Dec 3 for mention.
In a separate case arising from the same incident, M. Rubenkumar, 23, and Muhammad Irsyad, 19, also pleaded not guilty to riding motorcycles in a manner that endangered or obstructed traffic.
The charge under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a maximum one-year jail term or a fine of up to RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
The court granted each accused RM2,500 bail with one surety and fixed Dec 11 for mention.