Tay Wan Leng, 41, pleaded guilty to pinching the right arm of Indonesian Istikomah, pulling her shirt and slapping her face, back and head several times at her home in Woodlands on Jan 22.

A court heard that Tay lashed out at the maid after discovering that the 27-year-old had not followed her instructions to soak her husband's and her clothes.

That was the second day in a row she had abused the maid.

A day earlier on Jan 21, she punched the maid on her chest and stomach and pulled her hair but this charge was considered during her sentencing.

Ms Istikomah, who started working for the family last November, ran to the maid agency on Jan 23.

She was taken to hospital and warded for a day.

Defence lawyer Tang Gee Ni said Tay was under emotional and mental stress and strain when she committed the offence.

He said she had compensated $700 to the maid and would pay for her airfare home.

Tay could have been jailed for up to 18 months and fined up to $1,500.

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