During the pandemic, antiseptics and hand sanitizers were our best friends as they were of great help in keeping the virus at bay.
However, a maid in Singapore decided to add use Dettol antiseptic as an ‘extra ingredient’ for the Ribena drink of her boss’ kids, resulting in her getting jailed for the act.
S’pore maid puts Dettol into Ribena drink
The Straits Times (ST) reported that the maid, 18-year-old Mila Rindi Antika, mixed the Dettol antiseptic with a bottle of Ribena on the morning of Aug 4, where she was alone at home.
After mixing the two together, Mila then placed the Dettol at the far end of the cupboard where it was usually stored.
Later that evening, her employer’s son and two grandsons, who were aged 32, 10, and 11 respectively, came over and drank the tainted Ribena.
While the 32-year-old and 11-year-old didn’t suspect anything amiss although the former noted that the drink had a chemical taste to it, the 10-year-old said that it tasted “weird”. Fortunately, none of them fell sick from drinking the Ribena.
Denied putting Dettol into drink
Mila’s employer then opened the cap of the Ribena bottle, where her nose was hit with a strong chemical scent.
When she confronted Mila about it, the maid denied adding something else into the cordial.
While Mila’s employer decided not to pursue the matter, she kept the Ribena bottle in her room. A few days later, she discovered the Dettol antiseptic inside the cabinet and immediately called the police.
Claimed to have suffered emotional abuse
Mila later confessed to the act, where she said she did so to avoid doing work and claimed she was a victim of emotional abuse and wasn’t given enough food.
However, none of her claims held up nor was she found to be underweight following a medical examination.
In court, the prosecutor said Mila chose to mix Dettol with Ribena as she was aware that her employer’s grandsons would often consume it whenever they visited.
She had also hoped to see her employer drink the tainted Ribena, as well as committing the act at an area she thought wouldn’t be captured on CCTV.
Jailed for 4 months
During the court hearing on Nov 9, Mila pleaded guilty to one count of committing a rash act that could endanger others.
For the charge, she could be liable to a year’s jail and fined up to S$5,000 (approx. RM17,300). She was later sentenced to four months in jail.
Additionally, Mila was also found to have failed to meet the Ministry of Manpower’s minimum requirement to be at least 23-years-old in order to apply for a work permit.
However, it’s not known whether any parties will be facing legal action for this.
READ ALSO:
