Aye Aye Than, 26-years-old, reportedly spat on, hit and forcefully grabbed the neck of a 72-year-old stroke patient under her care.
The Myanmar national pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to a vulnerable person and was sentenced to 10 weeks jail yesterday (3 June).
Another 3 charges of using criminal force against the victim were considered during sentencing.
What happened?
The victim lived with his wife and daughter, and he was bedridden after suffering multiple strokes.
He was unable to perform daily tasks on his own and he choked easily on food, resulting in him needing to be fed through a tube.
The victim also found it difficult to speak because it was painful.
Aye Aye Than was employed to take care of the victim from 1 Jan 2020 to 7 Feb 2021.
She was tasked with changing his diapers, feeding him 5 times a day as well as removing his phlegm.
Than underwent training at Ren Ci Community Hospital during the first few days of her employment, where the victim had undergone rehabilitation.
On 5 February this year, at around 8.30am, she hit the victim’s arm with excessive force while feeding him.
She then spat on his face a while later.
Later that same day, she grabbed the back of the victim’s head forcefully while helping him up from his wheelchair.
The abuse was then reported to the police 2 days later on 7 February, by the victim’s daughter.
Unable to defend himself
CCTV footages of the abuse were played in court, and Deputy Public Prosecutor Jotham Tay said that the victim was bedridden and had difficulty communicating, hence he was particularly vulnerable.
Aye Aye then mitigated for herself and said that she was sorry and that she was the breadwinner for her family.
She pleaded for the shortest possible sentence, explaining that she wanted to return to Myanmar.
The judge then said:
“The only thing that can be said in favour of the accused is that she has pleaded guilty so there is no need for the victim to testify in court, if that is even possible.”
“I hope that after this is over… (such) things will not happen with you again. You should really reflect on what you’ve done.”
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