Maid jailed for pinching dementia patient, 75, knocking her head
SINGAPORE — A maid employed to look after a 75-year-old dementia patient repeatedly pinched the latter on both arms and used her fist to knocked the victim’s head, a court heard.
Although the acts of abuse caused pain, the victim never retaliated or complained.
It was only after Eis Atiqah, 38, suddenly left her employer’s home without notice in June that the assault came to light.
The maid’s employer, the victim’s 32-year-old grandson, found a bruise on the victim’s arm and a bump on her head.
At the State Courts on Thursday (9 January), Eis, who is from Indonesia, was jailed for five months.
She pleaded guilty to one amalgamated charge of causing hurt.
Frustrated with victim
Eis started working for the victim’s family on 12 May 2019 and her responsibilities included taking care of the victim, who is now 76. Due to her dementia, the victim requires assistance in her daily activities.
The maid slept in the same bedroom as the victim. Over multiple occasions between 12 May and 12 June, Eis assaulted the victim, typically at night.
“There were several occasions where the victim did not wish to sleep even though she was supposed to do so, and the lights in the bedroom were already switched off,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Amanda Han. “As the accused was already tired by that time, she pinched the victim on both arms several times in frustration,” the prosecutor added.
There were also times where Eis knocked the victim’s head a few times with her fist instead of pinching her. “On all of these occasions, the victim did not retaliate or complain after the accused committed those acts of abuse against her, even though the acts caused pain,” DPP Han said.
Grandson found bruise, bump
On 12 June, Eis suddenly left the home without notice. The next morning, the victim’s grandson discovered evidence of abuse.
“On 13 June 2019 at about 9.00 am, the witness was helping to clean up the victim when he noticed that she had a bruise on her right inner forearm,” said DPP Han.
“When he asked the victim about the bruise, she said she had knocked on something the month before. However, the witness found it suspicious as she did not have any bruises on herself when he checked the week before,” added the prosecutor.
The grandson continued to clean the victim up. About half an hour later, while he was combing her hair, the victim suddenly complained that it was painful.
“He checked and noticed a bump on the left side of her head,” said DPP Han. He then brought the victim to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and made a police report.
Doctors found multiple small areas of bruising on both of the victim’s forearms, on her left knee area as well as on her scalp. The victim was warded for three days and discharged on 16 June.
The maximum punishment for causing hurt, before the latest amendments to the Penal Code took effect on 1 January, was two years’ jail and a $5,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the offence now is up to three years’ jail and a $5,000 fine.
The court may sentence those who commit a crime against a vulnerable adult - someone who is incapable of protecting himself or herself from abuse, neglect or self‑neglect due to mental or physical infirmity, disability or incapacity - to twice the maximum punishment that it can otherwise impose for the offence.
Other Singapore stories:
Man on trial for trespass, impersonating cop and sexually assaulting maid
Singaporeans should avoid travel to Iran and Iraq due to 'volatile security situation': MFA
SDP files case in High Court against Manpower Minister Josephine Teo over POFMA orders
