Woman receives 30-year prison sentence for abusing, killing maid

World

Published: 2021-06-23 13:09

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 21:45


Woman receives 30-year prison sentence for abusing, killing maid
Woman receives 30-year prison sentence for abusing, killing maid

A woman, identified as Gaiyathiri Murugayan, who starved, tortured and killed her maid Piang Ngiah Don, 24, in Singapore was sentenced to 30 years in prison, approximately five years later.

The abuse that lasted for more than a year was captured on the CCTV system installed in the house. The victim, who weighed 24 kgs at the time, died after several hours of abuse in 2016.

The domestic worker was only allowed five hours of sleep every night and limited quantities of food, which resulted in 38 percent weight loss during her time working for Murugayan. The maid was also forced to use the bathroom with the door open.

Murugayan, 40, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and had 28 different abuse charges issued against her.

The judge described the case as 'horrific' and, according to court documents, the deceased was stamped on, strangled, choked, battered with brooms and burnt with an iron.

During the sentencing, the judge said 'She was cognisant of her actions and purposeful in her conduct. She did not lack capacity to comprehend what she was doing.'

After taking into consideration Murugayan's mental health, the prosecution sought to a reduced charge of culpable homicide instead of murder, which is punishable with the death penalty in Singapore.