Hong Kong woman jailed for abusing domestic worker released early

A jailed woman who made international headlines for abusing former Indonesian domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has been released from prison early.

The High Court was informed that Hong Kong woman Law Wan-tung, who was sentenced to six years in prison on February 10, 2015  for abusing Erwiana was released in September, Apple Daily reported.

Prisoners in the city can receive a one-third reduction in their sentence for good behavior. In Law’s case, that would normally make her eligible for early release in February next year.

It remains unclear why Law served less than four years behind bars.

A spokesperson of the Correctional Services Department said it would not comment on any individual case, adding that there are two early release schemes – “The release under supervision scheme” and “The Pre-release employment scheme” that prisoners are able to apply for, Ming Pao Daily reported.

The news came to light when Law failed to appear in court on Wednesday for a hearing related to the justice department pursuing Law for HK$200,000 (US$25,545) over a failed legal action.

In 2015, Law lodged a judicial review against the Legal Aid Department as it refused to grant her financial aid. The judicial review failed and the High Court ordered Law to pay HK$200,000 to the Department of Justice as legal costs with a further order that she should pay the fine out of her property and other assets.

On Wednesday, Law’s lawyer said she would appeal against the court order and had sought an adjournment. Justice Bebe Chu Pui-ying rejected the request.

Meanwhile, Law’s victim, Erwiana is yet to receive any of the HK$810,000 (US$103,446) compensation which the court ordered Law to pay her in December last year.