Filipina Helper in HK Gets Suspended Sentence for Pointing Knife at Employer

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A Filipina domestic helper was ordered jailed for 14 days suspended for one year, after she was found guilty of pointing a fruit knife at her employer during a dispute, when she appeared at Eastern Court on Jan. 29.

Cherry Tapugay, 34, was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon.

The court heard that on Oct. 25 last year, Tapugay’s female employer was incensed when she could not contact her children during a conference at their school.

When the employer got home, she and Tapugay had an argument over the children. The helper was said to have picked up a knife and said, “I want to kill”.

The employer struggled with Tapugay, pushing her to the wall to get the knife. The case was then reported to the police.

According to the police, Tapugay made an admission by saying “I held the knife because she shouted at me. I was angry. I didn’t say I want to kill. I want to die.”

In his reasons for verdict, magistrate Chum said he understood the defense in this case, and that the key issue was whether the defendant had intended to use the knife for unlawful purpose.

To answer this, Chum said he needed to make findings on whether Tapugay did point the knife at her employer.

Secondly, it had to be established whether Tapugay did say she wanted to kill her employer while pointing the knife at her.

The magistrate noted that Tapugay’s verbal admission was a mixed statement. She denied making the admission during her testimony, but reversed herself in the cross examination.

Chum said he relied more on the statement made by the police officer who interviewed Tapugay.

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