May 18, 2010
Man cleared of hitting maid
<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong
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'I am glad that justice has finally been done, and we can all move on with our lives,' said Mr Lim. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
A PROPERTY agent was cleared of causing grievous hurt to his former Indonesian maid after an eight-day trial. Mr Lim Beng Tai, 39, was acquitted of punching Ms Jasmiati's right eye which caused a fracture at his Toh Guan Road flat on July 24, 2008. District Judge Paul Quan also acquitted of the remaining 11 maid abuse charges which had been stood down after they were withdrawn. Mr Lim's wife, Madam Connie Ng Lay Har, 40, was also cleared of one charge of punching the maid on the right cheek after the prosecutor withdrew the charge.
Evidence given during the trial showed that the 26-year-old maid was trying to feed milk to the couple's then three-year-old son when Mr Lim stopped her as the child was crying and he was afraid it might choke him. Mr Lim had told the court that he raised his left open hand to stop her, and she backed away, tripped on the mat and fell backwards towards the edge of the coffee table. The judge found, among other things, that Mr Lim's evidence was more consistent than the domestic worker's. Mr Lim, defended by Mr S.H. Almenoar and Mr Raji Ramason, told reporters that it had been a very difficult time for him and his family with all those unfounded allegations. 'I am glad that justice has finally been done, and we can all move on with our lives,' he said.
