Police drop charges against duo accused of abduction

Police have withdrawn charges against two teenagers accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old girl near a school.

Police allege the girl was walking into Keysborough Secondary School in South Springvale around 8.30am on June 26 when a man approached her.

It was claimed that the man forced her into a vehicle and ran away.

Ayon Deng, 18, and a 15-year-old boy were charged in connection with the kidnapping and appeared in court this week.

According to the accusations reflected in the media, Deng was accused of kidnapping the girl “with the intention of marrying her… without her consent.”

He was also charged with unlawfully imprisoning her and detaining her “against her will.”

But on Friday Victoria Police said they had withdrawn the allegations against Deng and the child.

“Victoria Police can confirm that the Armed Crime Unit has withdrawn charges against two men for the alleged abduction of a 17-year-old girl in South Springvale,” the statement said.

“All parties were subsequently contacted to inform them of this development.”

A police spokesman said any new information provided to officers would be “thoroughly assessed”.