68-Year-Old Sentenced for Rape of Domestic Worker

 

A 68-year-old man was sentenced to 19½ years in jail on January 24 for the rape of a domestic worker in 2020. The incident occurred while the man’s family was overseas, and parts of his actions were captured by CCTV cameras installed in the home. The footage revealed his movements and positioning during the assault, while the victim appeared unresponsive.

The victim, a 35-year-old domestic worker employed by one of the man’s daughters, was assaulted late on January 5, 2020, after he invited her to watch television and offered her wine and “supplement injections.” Prosecutors argued that the injections caused the victim to feel giddy and weak, leaving her unable to resist his actions.

The court found the man guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of outrage of modesty. However, he was acquitted of a charge of sexual assault by penetration due to insufficient evidence. He had denied all the allegations during the trial, representing himself in court.

The man’s actions appeared premeditated, as CCTV footage showed him deliberately adjusting the camera in the victim’s bedroom to face away from her bed before administering the injections. This indicated his intent to commit the sexual acts, according to the prosecution.

The victim reported feeling dizzy and unable to move during the assault. After the man carried her back to her room and left, she contacted her sister early the next morning. She later informed the man’s daughters about the incident when they returned on January 8, 2020. The daughters supported her in lodging a police report, and she underwent a medical examination at the National University Hospital.

During the trial, Justice Mavis Chionh highlighted that the victim’s testimony was corroborated by CCTV evidence and the man’s own admissions during video-recorded interviews. While the footage did not explicitly capture the rape, his body positioning and repetitive movements supported the victim’s account.

The man’s defense included allegations that the victim harbored hatred toward his daughter or sought monetary compensation. However, these claims were rejected by the court. The judge also dismissed the suggestion that the victim had expressed interest in having a sexual relationship with him prior to the incident.

The case also brought attention to the misuse of generative AI tools. During the trial, the man admitted to using ChatGPT to search for legal cases, but the judge pointed out that the cases he cited were fictitious, emphasizing that AI tools are not suitable for legal research.

After sentencing, the man indicated his intention to appeal the conviction and hire legal representation. His bail of $80,000 was extended pending the appeal.

This case underscores the vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of holding offenders accountable for abuse. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of such crimes and serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and justice to protect the rights of all individuals, especially those in domestic employment.