Barrister accuses domestic worker of telling Hong Kong court ‘pack of lies’ about rape during cross-examination
- Alleged victim makes changes to her evidence, prompting defence lawyer to question whether she was telling truth
- Barrister suggests helper had gone to the couple’s bed and removed her clothes voluntarily
A domestic worker testifying in court against a Hong Kong couple for allegedly conspiring to rape her had been telling “a pack of lies”, a defence lawyer argued on Thursday.
Barrister Priscilia Lam Tsz-ying told a High Court jury the helper had fabricated the story of her being assaulted by Chan Chim-tak, 48, and his wife Lai Chi-san, 36, inside a high-rise flat in Hung Shui Kiu, Yuen Long, on January 21, 2018.
Instead, the lawyer representing Chan suggested the alleged victim, then 30, had gone to their bed that night and removed her clothes voluntarily.
During the trial, which began on Monday, the jury heard Chan attempted to rape the helper after Lai, who was naked, pulled her to the couple’s bedroom and told her that her husband liked her and would pay to have sex with her.
The male employer was said to have raped the helper on the second attempt with Lai’s assistance. She allegedly helped her husband become sexually aroused and groped the helper once during the assault.
Chan denied a count of rape and a count of attempted rape, claiming the sexual acts were consensual. Lai pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault.
On Thursday, the helper made several changes to her evidence as Lam continued to cross-examine the witness.
