Hong Kong woman guilty of torturing Indonesian maid

A Hong Kong court Tuesday found a woman guilty of torturing her Indonesian domestic help.

Employer Law Wan-tung, 44, was found guilty of 18 of 20 charges which include grievous bodily harm, criminal intimidation, failure to pay wages and give time off work to domestic help Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, Xinhua reported.

The case had gained international attention about a year ago after photographs of Erwiana's injuries spread among Indonesians in Hong Kong.

Her face, hands and legs were covered with scabs and lacerations in those photographs.

District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock said this was a case in which she had to rely solely on the evidence of the witnesses.

"I am sure the defendant did assault, and would threaten Sulistyaningsih as charged."

The court found that Law had threatened to kill Erwiana and her family.

Law told the maid that her husband was rich and had lots of connections in Indonesia.

That's why Erwiana was afraid of reporting her.

The court imposed an order on Law to pay Erwiana 28,800 HKD ($3,714), the salary she owed the maid.

The judge sought two reports to study Law's mental state and adjourned the case to Feb 27. Law was remanded in custody.

Erwiana said she felt happy about the result.

"I can forgive Law Wan-tung but justice must be upheld."