Jailed: Couple who took turns beating up Filipino maid for opening fridge and microwave at night

A Filipino domestic helper became a victim of an inhumane series of beatings by her employers for months ever since she started working for the family. 

52-year-old security guard Janardana Jayasankarr has since been sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to three charges of causing hurt, The Straits Times reports. His wife had already been sentenced to a week in jail last month. 

Ever since Filipino national Miezel Cagas Limbaga started working for the couple in October 2014, she was not given any days off. Aside from doing housework chores, cooking and taking care of their young children, the 31-year-old bore the brunt of Janardana’s temper. 

His inclination towards physical abuse started in late November 2014, when he slapped her face on one occasion. 

The abuse started to escalate in January last year when Limbaga was accused of stealing food when she opened the fridge and microwave at night. Janardana dragged her into a bedroom and took turns beating up the defenceless maid with his wife, who slapped the woman and grabbed her neck. The man however was the move savage one — he slapped Limbaga’s face and punched her stomach and chest. He also stamped on her back while the Filipina laid on the ground in pain. 

Two days later, he attacked the maid again, slapping her face at 4am. Later on at 9am, she was assaulted again, receiving a punch on her chest and kicks in her stomach and back. 

Limbaga’s plight was only discovered when a fellow Filipino domestic helper saw multiple bruises on her face, arms and chest when Janardana’s children were taken to school. Limbaga told her that she had been beaten up by her employers. 

Policemen arrived later that day after the other Filipino maid lodged a police report, and Limbaga confirmed the ordeal. A checkup at the hospital found bruises on her scalp, cheeks, upper chest, back, and left hip. 

In court, it was revealed that Limbaga herself was not much of a domestic helper. It was claimed that she neglected her duties, had poor hygiene and even punished Janadarna’s children by beating them with a broom a couple of times, and making threats should they tell on her.