A REPUBLIC of Singapore Airforce officer went on trial on Monday for abusing his Indonesian maid.

Tong Chew Wei, 31, is said to have used a broomstick to hit the left arm of Miss Nana Widayanti, 24, in December 2006.

She had just worked at his Jurong West flat for 1 1/2 months when the first alleged abuse took place.

Miss Widayanti, who is now staying in a shelter, testified that the second incident took place the following month when she was ironing clothes.

Tong asked her to follow him to the kitchen but she refused as she knew he was going to hit her.

He then pulled her by the hand and slammed the door against her hand while he was inside the room.

Miss Widayanti said he then used the broomstick and hit her all over. She saw blood near her finger.

She claimed that on a third occasion, Tong poured hot water from a cup on her legs while she was inside the toilet after his mother had complained about her work.

Tong is also alleged to have stamped on her feet repeatedly while he was wearing his sandals on two separate occasions.

In February, Miss Widayanti said her employer pinched her on the waist. He also used a broomstick to hit her body.

Miss Widayanti said she was so famished one day that she took the baby's milk powder to eat after Tong refused to give her food.

When Tong's wife found out, she scolded her and asked what she had eaten. But she denied taking anything.

Mrs Tong then called her husband out from his shower and he assaulted her by pulling her hair and turning her around while she was bending down and elbowing her on the back.