Domestic worker sentenced to life in jail for murdering girlfriend in Hong Kong
High Court jury returns 6-1 guilty verdict for Bernie Macatangay Valencia, who repeatedly punched Ivy Villaluz Quiabang and caused brain damage
A male domestic worker in Hong Kong has been sentenced to life behind bars for fatally attacking his girlfriend at a subdivided flat in Wan Chai, with a High Court jury returning a 6-1 majority guilty verdict after nearly four hours of deliberation.
Bernie Macatangay Valencia was convicted of murdering his partner, Ivy Villaluz Quiabang, by repeatedly punching her in the head at a flat on Stone Nullah Lane after quarrelling at a Christmas party on December 22, 2021.
Valencia, 45, initially offered to plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter by way of an unlawful and dangerous act, a move that was rejected by prosecutors.
The defendant had argued that his actions were carried out partly under the influence of alcohol, a contention that was rejected by the jury.
Handing down the sentence, Mr Justice William Tam Yiu-ho on Wednesday said: “Judging by the guilty verdict, the jury must have found a murder intent on [the defendant’s] part, despite the alcohol’s influence.”
“Your vicious attack on her resulted in the traumatic injury to her head, which eventually led to her death.”