Hong Kong doctor, 83, jailed for molesting his domestic helper in abuse spanning 8 months
- Brian Drew Apthorp sentenced to 30 months behind bars for indecently assaulting helper, who he required daily massages from and performed a ‘medical check-up’ on
- Defence lawyer says the helper should have told her employer: ‘I’m sorry, sir, no’
An elderly doctor found guilty of molesting his domestic helper in Hong Kong has been jailed for 30 months and denied bail pending an appeal.
Magistrate Daniel Tang Siu-hung on Thursday said Brian Drew Apthorp, 83, breached the trust placed upon him as both a doctor and an employer when he assaulted his then helper, a Filipino named only as X, at his Shouson Hill residence more than two years ago.
“You abused your power as an employer,” Tang said. “Because if [the helper] did not follow your instructions, she would face punishment.”
Earlier this month, Tang found Apthorp guilty of two counts of indecent assault, spanning a period of eight months from September 2018 to April 2019.
Eastern Court previously heard X testify to being assaulted under the guise of a medical check-up on September 11, 2018, when Apthorp removed her clothes and molested her.
X said she was later asked to give him daily massages, during which he would lie naked and masturbate.
He would also grab her hand to touch himself, as can be seen from a video she recorded that was played in court.
X finally sought help from NGOs after Apthorp, who is from Britain, left Hong Kong in April 2019, and she later reported the case after her resignation.