KUCHING: An elderly woman charged with abusing her maid walked out free from the magistrates’ court here yesterday after her three counts of abuse charges were dropped.
Li Guak Min alias Lee Nyat Min, 67, was discharged and acquitted without her defence being called.
Presiding Magistrate Gerald Empaling Donald ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against her.
Li was accused of abusing the 18-year-old maid once in October and two times in early December last year. She had thrown a tea cup at the girl and used a knife during the alleged assault.
She was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum three years’ jail, whipping or fine under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum one year’s jail and liable to whipping or fine upon conviction.
Wheelchair-bound Li was represented by defence counsel Anthony Tai.
In her defence, Tai said the scar on the body of the girl who is the complainant was caused by mosquito bites and from scratching.
He said the prosecution did not call the doctor who examined the girl to testify in court.