'Maid feeds boss drugs'

[Yukimura Sanada]

Singapore
Apr 15, 2010

'Maid feeds boss drugs'

<!-- by line --> By Khushwant Singh
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Windri, who claimed that a neighbour had given her a pack of white-coloured pills that would make Madam Mah (above) slow down and not nag and complain so much. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

A DISTRICT court heard that an Indonesian maid had told a police officer that she fed 'medicine' to her 79-year-old employer to make her less troublesome. But Windri Hartatik, 26, denied she ever said this and did she know of any such drugs. At the start of the two-day trial on Thursday, Sergeant Norhafizah Kamaludin, 26, testified that last Dec 22, Madam Mah Ah Choo came to the Serangoon neighbourhood police centre to complain that her maid was poisoning her.

The policewoman then interviewed Windri, who claimed that a neighbour had given her a pack of white-coloured pills that would make Madam Mah 'slow down' and not nag and complain so much. The maid, who had worked for Madam Mah for two years also said she got rid of the remaining pills when police were informed, said Sgt Norhafizah. In her police statement to investigating officer Ong Xiqing, Windri changed her story and said that she had brought the pills from Indonesia and had taken them when she had difficulty sleeping. She also admitted to lacing Madam Mah's food, but said this was because the investigating officer had told her she would get off lightly if she confessed.

 

[lauhumku]

Poison case maid gets lawyer

Apr 16, 2010
Poison case maid gets lawyer

<!-- by line --> By Khushwant Singh
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Mr Mohd Muzammil Mohamed appeared in a district court on Friday after he was asked by the Indonesian embassy to check if Windri Hartatik, 26, needed legal representation. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

AN INDONESIAN maid accused of drugging her employer will get a lawyer. Mid-way through the trial, Mr Mohd Muzammil Mohamed appeared in a district court on Friday after he was asked by the Indonesian embassy to check if Windri Hartatik, 26, needed legal representation. Looking relieved, the Indonesian maid, who had been defending herself, readily agreed to have him act for her. The case has now been adjourned to allow Mr Mohd Muzammil time to receive instructions from Windri and to study the testimonies of witnesses prior to his appointment.

Parties will meet on April 20 for new court dates to be set. Windri is accused of drugging Madam Mah Ah Choo, 79, with sleeping pills in a soup on last Dec 9. The trial started on Thursday and it was through newspaper reports that the embassy found out about the case. Windri, who has been in remand since Dec 22, is unable to raise the $10,000 bail, Mr Mohd Muzammil told the court.

 

[Taishi Ci]

Maid spiked soup with pills


Jul 26, 2010
Maid spiked soup with pills

<!-- by line --> By Khushwant Singh
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Windri Hartatik (above) was found guilty by District Judge Lim Wee Ming of administering the stupefying drug to Madam Mah Ah Choo, 79, in December 2009. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

<!-- story content : start --> A MAID, who laced a soup with 10 sleeping pills so that her employer would fall asleep and not find fault with her work, was jailed a year on Monday. Windri Hartatik was found guilty by District Judge Lim Wee Ming of administering the stupefying drug to Madam Mah Ah Choo, 79, in December 2009.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Bhajanvir Singh asked the court not to show leniency to the Indonesian because employers and their family members need to be protected from violent maids. He said that Windri had abused the trust placed in her by her employer and had poisoned an elderly and very vulnerable victim.

During the six-day trial that started in April, Madam Mah told the court that while Windri would help herself to the fish and vegetable dishes, she would give the soup a miss on some occasions. The widow, who lived with the maid in a house in Paya Lebar Crescent, had earlier testified how for over a year, she would doze off within minutes of having a meal.

She also found it difficult to wake up at her usual time of 6am. On Dec 9, Madam Mah had taken a pork rib soup prepared by her maid. The retiree did not suspect anything. However, the next morning, she suffered a bout of giddiness and nearly collapsed at a supermarket. She had to be helped by staff and returned home with the maid in a taxi.

After resting, Madam Mah confronted Windri, who admitted to adding 'medicine' to the soup, to make Madam Mah sleep more and stop her from inspecting and finding fault with the maid's work. The widow reported to police on Dec 22.

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

Re: Maid spiked soup with pills

A MAID, who laced a soup with 10 sleeping pills so that her employer would fall asleep

Good news is it is only sleeping pills