A 30-year-old Filipina domestic worker was sentenced to seven days in prison at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court for kicking a seven-year-old boy.
The defendant Geraldine V.O. pleaded guilty to one count of common assault, hongkongnews.com.hk reported.
The defendant, who arrived in Hong Kong in November to be a domestic worker in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, was reprimanded by Judge Peter Law, who said her offense was a breach of trust.
Law said the defendant was employed to take care of the victim and his sister but she had hurt a young child who could hardly protect himself from violence.
The court heard that the incident happened at around 6.30pm on February 22 inside her employer’s apartment when the boy started crying and they had a fight. Geraldine kicked him in the stomach.
The police were called and the defendant was arrested while the boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where a check showed that he had not suffered any serious injury.
The defense lawyer said the defendant had a dispute with the boy. She suffered scratches and the boy kicked her more than once.
The lawyer said the defendant was deeply remorseful and that she now has a criminal record, which may affect any future plan to work again.