Natalie Wong
Friday, December 17, 2010
A couple who gambled in Macau while their three children were left to starve at home were placed on 12 months' probation for child neglect.
The children, aged 20 months to nine years, were found by social workers after two of them failed to attend classes in September.
Wong Wing-lam, 30, and Liu Yanying, 32, who is pregnant, each pleaded guilty earlier to one count of ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of a child or young person.
Sha Tin Magistrate Pang Chung-ping yesterday chastised Liu for failing to fulfill her parental responsibilities, and said she was spared from a jail sentence mostly because she is due to give birth next week.
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"Did you think about your three children left unattended at home when you were gambling in Macau?" Pang asked Liu.
"No, because I was too much into gambling at that time," she replied .
Liu said she was used to being left alone at home by her own mother when she was a small girl in the mainland.
Pang warned Liu that if she violates the instructions set by her probation officer, she may not only lose her freedom, but also the custody of her children.
She is required to receive treatment for her gambling addiction, and to follow instructions on social life and work during the one-year probation period.
Pang said Wong also bore responsibility for the sad episode, as he ignored the starving children to join his wife in Macau after returning from a trip to the mainland.
"Although the male defendant was dissatisfied with his job, he should fulfill his basic responsibilities of looking after the children," Pang said.
"Quarrels in a family are inevitable, but this was not a reason for leaving children unattended. Couples should help each other to maintain a whole family."
A medical report submitted to the court confirmed that Liu is expected to give birth next week.
Friday, December 17, 2010
A couple who gambled in Macau while their three children were left to starve at home were placed on 12 months' probation for child neglect.
The children, aged 20 months to nine years, were found by social workers after two of them failed to attend classes in September.
Wong Wing-lam, 30, and Liu Yanying, 32, who is pregnant, each pleaded guilty earlier to one count of ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of a child or young person.
Sha Tin Magistrate Pang Chung-ping yesterday chastised Liu for failing to fulfill her parental responsibilities, and said she was spared from a jail sentence mostly because she is due to give birth next week.
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"Did you think about your three children left unattended at home when you were gambling in Macau?" Pang asked Liu.
"No, because I was too much into gambling at that time," she replied .
Liu said she was used to being left alone at home by her own mother when she was a small girl in the mainland.
Pang warned Liu that if she violates the instructions set by her probation officer, she may not only lose her freedom, but also the custody of her children.
She is required to receive treatment for her gambling addiction, and to follow instructions on social life and work during the one-year probation period.
Pang said Wong also bore responsibility for the sad episode, as he ignored the starving children to join his wife in Macau after returning from a trip to the mainland.
"Although the male defendant was dissatisfied with his job, he should fulfill his basic responsibilities of looking after the children," Pang said.
"Quarrels in a family are inevitable, but this was not a reason for leaving children unattended. Couples should help each other to maintain a whole family."
A medical report submitted to the court confirmed that Liu is expected to give birth next week.
