But in a fit of rage from the questioning, Indonesian maid Suhartutik, 23, attacked Madam Lin Siew Ting,44, with a wooden pole.

The attack left her boss with two lacerations on her scalp and forehead which had to treated in hospital.

District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim on Friday sentenced Suhartutik to three months' jail. The court heard that the petite woman, who stood in the dock with reddened eyes, has been remanded since Sept 19.

According to court documents, Madam Lin found a set of house keys missing from a drawer in her Northvale condominiun unit at about 12.45pm on Sept 18.

When asked, Suhartutik denied taking them.

Minutes later, while Madam Lin was in the living room, Suhartutik attacked her with a wooden pole meauring about one metre, which she had taken from the kitchen.

She hit Madam Lin twice on her head before running out of the house. Madam Lin managed to stop her from getting away and shouted for help.

Police were called in and Suhartutik was arrested.