SINGAPORE – A domestic worker who suffocated her employer’s 73-year-old father with a pillow while he slept has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Sumiyati, a 53-year-old Indonesian national who goes by one name, was convicted on July 29 of murder.
She had attacked the man in his home in Bishan Street 23 in 2022. She was angry because she felt he had accused her of stealing his wife’s jewellery.
Justice Mavis Chionh said that based on the evidence, she was satisfied that the prosecution had proven Sumiyati committed murder, but added that the question was whether the court should exercise discretion on imposing the maximum penalty of death.
“I agree with the prosecution and defence that while the killing of the deceased was indeed a horrific tragedy, this was not a case where the accused can be said to have exhibited viciousness or a blatant disregard for human life,” said the judge.
The victim, who lived with his wife and his daughter, had mobility issues. His daughter employed Sumiyati in September 2019 to be her father’s caregiver.
Some time around 2021, Sumiyati’s employer extended her employment contract and increased her salary as they were happy with her service. The helper also indicated that her employer’s father was caring and gentle towards her.
But around late-2021, Sumiyati began requesting for her salary to be paid in advance.
She also borrowed money from her employer’s father and his wife, lying that she needed the money to cover medical costs her family had incurred in Indonesia.
In 2022, Sumiyati started to steal from the family, and took jewellery from her employer’s mother after noticing where the older woman kept it in the cupboard.
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