Singapore's vicious employer was sentenced to 30 years in prison for abusing and torturing maids by various violent means

Source: Global Times

According to Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao on the 23rd, the local high court sentenced a local female employer to 30 years in prison on the 22nd for abusing and killing Burmese servants. Singapore's Straits Times said it was the longest sentence imposed for domestic abuse in Singapore's history. The case also drew attention from the Singapore government to the protection of the rights of domestic servants.

The 41-year-old female employer, Gaiatiri, tortured to death a 24-year-old maid, Pound Aherdon, with all kinds of violence. The Straits Times said Pound Aherdon was beaten almost every day, unable to get enough food and rest, and was even forced to open the bathroom door while taking a shower or going to the toilet. In the 12 days before her death, she slept with a thread tied to a window by her employer. On July 26, 2016, Pound Achdorn was beaten again and eventually died, weighing only 24 kilograms. According to the police investigation, the abuse of Pound Akhdon lasted at least 9 months.

Gaiatili was previously charged with murder, but because she was diagnosed with major depression and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, the prosecution changed her charges to 15 counts, including manslaughter, intentional injury, criminal intimidation and unlawful confinement. On the 22nd, when Gaiatili interceded through a lawyer, she blamed the deceased for turning her from a good employer into a domestic abuser, such as the deceased's lack of hygiene, too slow hands and feet, and too much eating. In addition, Gaiatili's lawyer said that the defendants had also hired 3 maids in the past, but there was no violence. This proves that the maid also has problems. But High Court Judge Schian rebuked Gaiatiri for still having no remorse. In reading out the ruling, he said that although the defendant had mental problems, she was clear about the actions she had committed. It was the worst of the manslaughter cases, and "no words can describe the level of cruelty in this case." Schien said that if it were not for the psychiatrist's assessment that Gaiatiri had a serious personality disorder, he would not hesitate to sentence her to life in prison.

Gaiatili intends to appeal to the Supreme Court. In addition, Gaiatiri's mother and husband have also been charged with complicity, and their cases are still pending in court.