A woman summoned under the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cried in a Kuala Lumpur courtroom yesterday, but walked away elated after the magistrate dropped the charge against her because of a technical error.

Soon Chooi Mee was summoned to the magistrate's court yesterday morning on a charge of not stopping at a red traffic light on Jalan Klang Lama in the federal capital.

Soon, 53, who suffers from hearing impairment, lost her hearing aid in a robbery two days ago and she could barely hear the question posted by magistrate Noorasyikin Sahat.

When the interpreter read out the charge sheet that states Soon did not stop at a traffic light when the light was red at around 12 midnight, Soon stopped her and said the time should be around 12 noon, according to the summons she received.

The court then adjourned the case for the matter to be clarified.

However, perhaps due to the stress from the robbery she suffered on Wednesday night and having to appear in court the next morning, Soon bursted into tears.

A lawyer and reporter who were sitting close to Soon in the courtroom attempted to comfort her.

Charge dropped

When the case resumed later, Noorasyikin dropped the charge against Soon because of two different times of said offence were stated in the summons and the charge sheet.

Soon soon stopped sobbing and left the court, her face beaming with joy.

The Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court was crowded yesterday with more than 1,400 motorists who were issued AES summonses ordered to be present in court, making it the largest number of motorists to turn up over the past few days.

However, of the number, only 58 people, including Soon, appeared before court and had their cases heard. Of them, 13 claimed trial and 44 pleaded guilty.

Of those who pleaded guilty, 24 were fined RM300 each while 20 were let off with warnings.

In the same court on Tuesday, 914 motorists were summoned to appear, but only 27 turned up.