Domestic helper left with facial fractures after confrontation.
SINGAPORE: A man was sentenced to six months in prison after assaulting his domestic helper following her comments about his eating habits. Suriya Krishnan, 25, punched the maid three times in the face, resulting in fractures.
On Tuesday (Feb 8), Suriya was also ordered to pay the victim S$8,500 in compensation after pleading guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt that unexpectedly resulted in grievous injury. A second charge involving kicking the maid was considered in the sentencing.
The court heard that the victim, a 27-year-old Myanmar national, worked for Suriya’s sister, with whom he lived in a flat in Hougang alongside his parents and the maid. The incident occurred on the night of May 29, 2020, during a family celebration for his father’s birthday.
Before the festivities began, Suriya had consumed a 750ml bottle of liquor and was intoxicated. Around 8:30 PM, his mother asked the maid to cut jelly for Suriya. While in the kitchen, Suriya followed the victim and requested that she prepare some food for him.
When the victim remarked that he ate a lot and didn’t cut the jelly as he wanted, Suriya became enraged. He verbally assaulted her, leading his mother to intervene and chastise him. After leaving the kitchen, Suriya returned and struck the maid in the face three times, with one punch landing under her right eye, causing her to crouch in pain.
Family members had to restrain Suriya. The victim sought medical attention and was diagnosed with fractures to her right orbital floor and lamina papyracea, along with bruising and bleeding, and pain during eye movement. She was admitted to the hospital and later discharged for outpatient follow-up. The hospital subsequently filed a police report.
After the incident, the victim stopped working for Suriya’s sister but was compensated for the month of May 2020. She found a new job on August 7, 2020, but went without a salary for the months of June and July.
The prosecutor requested a seven-month sentence, emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim and Suriya’s voluntary intoxication at the time. They also sought a compensation order of S$8,500, comprising S$1,000 for the victim’s lost income and S$7,500 for pain and suffering.
Suriya’s lawyer argued for a six-month sentence, claiming the maid had smirked during the confrontation, provoking Suriya. However, the prosecutor countered that such claims were unfounded, prompting the judge to question how that could justify violence.
The lawyer noted the victim’s hospital stay lasted only seven days and that there was no evidence of psychological trauma. He characterized the incident as isolated, without a history of abusive behavior from Suriya, who did not aim for the victim’s eye area.
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Suriya to six months in prison. If he fails to pay the S$8,500 in compensation, he will serve an additional month in jail.
