Man who kicked and hit maid with walking stick escapes jail
Ng Tong Kok received a mandatory treatment order from the judge for his depressive disorder which caused him to lash out. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — A 59-year-old man who hit and kicked an Indonesian maid, including using a walking stick to hit her head, escaped jail as a district judge ruled on Thursday (Aug 11) that his mental condition, coupled with “caregiver’s stress”, had caused him to lash out.
Instead, the judge issued a mandatory treatment order against Ng Tong Kok, who was suffering from major depressive disorder at the time of the offence.
The court was told that Ms Warda, 33, started working for the Ng family in 2014. Her main duty was taking care of Ng’s 82-year-old sick mother, until she died in July last year from kidney failure.
On Feb 23 last year, Warda failed to buy bee hoon for breakfast and got a scolding from Ng in the kitchen of his Henderson Crescent flat.
Ng grabbed a walking stick and hit Warda on the top of her head. When she ran into the living room, Ng followed and punched her on the face, then hit her on her head and both arms with his hands. He also kicked her on her buttocks and groin area.
Warda managed to run out of the house and used a neighbour's phone to call the police. She sustained bruises and swelling on her head, jaws and arms from Ng’s attack.
Ng pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt and Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Koh argued for a sentence of three to four weeks’ jail, citing the need for deterrence against cases of maid abuse.
“The assault was not a singular act of violence, but involved the use of a walking stick as well as punches and kicks on various parts of the victim’s body... (Ng) clearly had complete disregard for (Warda’s) welfare and was intent on venting his anger and frustration by assaulting her,” she added.
Defence lawyer Chong Yi Mei, however, urged the court to impose a mandatory treatment order on her client. She said Ng was diagnosed with a mood disorder called Recurrent Endogenous Depression in 1995. After his wife died in 2012, Ng began suffering from major depressive disorder and is seeking treatment in the Institute of Mental Health.
In mitigation, Ms Chong said Ng lost his cool “while he was operating under a compromised state of mind” because he felt that Warda was not treating his mother with the adequate care. For instance, Warda had fed his mother with the wrong medication, she cited.
“In a momentary lapse in judgement, Ng briefly assaulted (Warda),” said Ms Chong. “The brief intensity and impulsive nature of the attack is evidenced in the relatively minor injuries (with no permanent damage) suffered by (Warda).”
In sentencing, district judge Michelle Yap said a mandatory treatment order would be appropriate in this case, considering Ng’s underlying mental condition and that he had showed signs of “caregiver’s stress”.
Although the injuries are not serious, Ms Yap said she agreed that the way he committed the assault was aggravating.
Ng could have been jailed up to three years and/or fined up to S$7,500.
