Swedish businessman found guilty of raping domestic helper in his Hong Kong home
- Defence for Patrik Tobias Ekstrom says he was suffering from bipolar disorder at time of crime and his behaviour changed when his family left him
A Swedish businessman has been found guilty of raping his domestic helper in his Hong Kong home, with the defence counsel telling the court his client suffered from bipolar disorder at the time of the crime.
A seven-member jury at the High Court on Thursday unanimously found Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, 36, guilty of a count of rape and another of buggery without consent in connection with the assault on his helper in his bedroom on the night of October 27, 2022.
Ekstrom’s lawyer, Simon So, requested the court obtain a psychiatric and psychological report on the defendant, who was said to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago after his wife left him and took their three children to her home country of Japan.
So told the court the defendant’s behaviour had changed “all of a sudden” after his family fell apart.
He said the defendant, a “successful businessman” with only one drink-driving conviction about 10 years ago before the rape case, had acted “out of his character” after the departure of his wife and children.
“There must be something going on that transpired to his life,” the lawyer said.