By Leo A. Deocadiz
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| Housing development where slapping incident took place (Google Maps photo) |
A Chinese housewife was acquitted today of common assault on her domestic helper after a one-day trial at the Eastern Court.
Zhu Qiujing, 38 years old, was found not guilty by Deputy
Magistrate Chung Wing-sze, who said she was not convinced by the testimony of Shirley
Cahilig, 32, that she had been slapped on the left cheek and held on the chin.
Magistrate Chung, speaking in Cantonese, said she saw inconsistencies
in Cahilig’s testimony that proved fatal to her claim of having been assaulted.
She also granted costs to defense, to be taxed if not agreed.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Zhu was charged with common assault on Cahilig on the June 8,
2025, at her flat in Island Garden, Chai Wan Road, Chai Wạn. She was accused of
violating Common Law, punishable under section 40 of the Offence's against the
Person Ordinance.
Cahilig testified that she arrived at Zhu’s house on March
5, 2025 to work as a domestic helper. The incident with her employer took place
three months later.
Before ther slapping incident, she said, she had a
harmonious relationship with Zhu, except for one time when Zhu scolded her for
boiling chicken for dinner.
She said she told Zhu she did not want to work for her
anymore. However, Zhu apologized and they made up.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Cahilig said she was slapped by Zhu after accusing her of
telling the latter’s two daughters about her smoking. But she said she did not
volunteer this fact; the daughters knew she was smoking because she smelled of smoke.
She said she called the police hotline 999 twice and no one
was picking up. She called the Mission for Migrant Workers, where a volunteer
told her to dial 999 and say “Police Assistance”, which was answered right away.
A policeman arrived at their house.
Cahilig toid the policeman she wanted to leave the house as
she was afraid, but she was told by the employer she could leave only if she paid
her $5,000, or one month’s notice.
After paying $5,000, she packed up her things and had thern
inspected by Zhu.
She subsequently formalized her
complaint with the police on June 15, and filed her claims with the Labour
Department in August for wrongful termination, one month notice, refund of her
$5,000, air fare and others.
