Cash no way to settle abuse case

Cash no way to settle abuse case

SINGAPORE: A woman who sought to avoid trial for abusing an Indonesian maid by offering an apology and cash was behind bars on Wednesday serving a four-month prison term after the Chief Justice threw out her appeal.

Jill Ho Yean Theng, 29, was convicted last April of abusing Sartini Warsono five times.

She hit Sartini, 23, on the arm with a bamboo pole, scratched her on the face with a key, struck her with a high-heeled shoe, hit her with a basket and scratched her face with her fingers.

Ho, now divorced with a 4-year-old daughter, offered Sartini an apology and S$5,000 (US$2,800) to settle the case last November, but the court would not allow it.

Senior Counsel K.S. Rajah argued on Tuesday the four-month sentence was excessive since Ho had apologized and the maid agreed to accept the money.

"Not while I am Chief Justice," said Yong Pung How. "I have to take the public interest into account."

Dismissing the appeal, Yong said the sentence was clearly not excessive. -- DPA