FDH jailed for kicking 7-year-old boy in Wan Chai

Eastern Magistrates' Courts

A 30-year-old Filipino domestic worker was imprisoned after she kicked her seven-year-old ward in Wan Chai.

Eastern Principal Magistrate Peter Law sentenced Geraldine V.O., to seven days in prison after she pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

“Yours is a breach of trust case. (The victim) was only 7 and a child at this age could hardly protect himself from facing violence, even if not a very forceful one,” Judge Law told the defendant on March 11.

“For this type of offence, a custodial sentence is appropriate,” he added.

Geraldine arrived in Hong Kong in November to work as a domestic helper in Wan Chai. This was her first time to work here.

But only after three months of working for her employers, she blew her top at one of her two young wards.

The prosecution said the incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. on February 22 inside her employer’s flat 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 nearly by hospital, where a check showed that he did not suffer any serious injury.

“She had a dispute with the kid. According to the defendant, the young boy had also scratched and kicked her on more than one occasion,” Geraldine’s lawyer said.

“She is deeply remorseful for what happened. And now she has a criminal record, which may affect any future plan to work again here in Hong Kong,” he added.

The defense lawyer asked for leniency and urged the judge to give her a suspended sentenced, adding that Geraldine “did not use excessive force” in kicking the boy.

But noting the young age of the victim and considering that this was a breach of trust case—Geraldine was employed to take care of the victim and his sister—the judge sentenced her to a week in prison.