Hong Kong couple sentenced to jail for abusing Indonesian domestic worker
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HONG KONG -
A Hong Kong couple described by the presiding judge as “cruel” and “vicious” were found guilty and sentenced to jail on Wednesday for systematically abusing their Indonesian domestic worker over a span of two years.
Judge So Wai-tak also said the actions of the couple had damaged Hong Kong’s reputation as a safe place to work.
Tai Chi-wai, 42, was sentenced to three years and three months in jail, while his wife Catherine Au Yuk-shan, 41, received a sentenced of five and a half years in jail.
They were charged with eight counts of assault and one count of false imprisonment involving their 30-year-old domestic worker Kartika Puspitasari. They denied all charges.
Tai was convicted of two charges of assault on Kartika, while Au was found guilty of six charges of assault on her.
Tai and Au were acquitted of the charge of false imprisonment after the judge found evidence presented by Kartika relating to the charge to be “exaggerated” and “inherent improbable”.
The couple looked very calm when they heard the sentence. Their lawyer Alan So said the couple had prepared themselves for the outcome of the trial and had even contacted the Social Welfare Department to take care of their three children, aged 5 to 11.
The court previously heard Kartika recount how she was abused by the couple between October 2010 and October last year while working for them.
Photo:
David Wong/SCMP
More information:
In Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia):
In English:
- Scrap domestic helper policies that lead to abuse, say groups | SCMP
- Hong Kong couple jailed for torturing maid who was 'forced to wear diaper' | Reuters
- Hong Kong couple jailed for 'inhumane' abuse of Indonesian maid | Global Post
- HK couple get jail terms for torture of Indonesian maid | BBC News
- Couple sentenced to jail for abusing Indonesian maid for two years | UPI
- Abusive HK salesman and health worker caged for brutal attacks on Indonesian helper | The Standard
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