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The prosecution of a Point Cook couple accused of keeping a domestic slave has become more urgent after a court heard their alleged victim has begun to succumb to cognitive decline following her diagnosis with an incurable illness.
Angie Yeh Ling Liaw, 29, and Chee Kit Chong, 44 – also known as Max Chong – were warned they would be committed to trial if they continued to cause delays by not engaging with lawyers.
Angie Yeh Ling Liaw (left) and Chee Kit Chong – known as Max Chong – are charged with slavery offences.
Prosecutor Michael Kecks told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday the couple’s alleged victim had been given a 30-month prognosis by an oncologist and was experiencing cognitive decline.
The court heard that the victim is the main witness in the case, and will be giving evidence at trial.
But Liaw and Chong drew the ire of magistrate Belinda Franjic after she heard they had only settled on lawyers last week, after switching legal representation more than once.
Franjic warned that she was ready to commit Chong to trial on the charges, but thought it was in the interests of justice they remain together before their cases are transferred to the County Court for plea or trial.
“I was ready to commit today, I’ve read the brief. In my view, the evidence is of sufficient weight,” Franjic said.
“This matter has to progress, if it does not progress on the next occasion, I will be committing you for trial in the County Court.”
Franjic said she was concerned about the potential for prejudice of the prosecution’s case given the complainant’s ill health, but it was in the interests of justice to keep the accused’s cases tied together.
“There is evidence before the court that the complainant in this matter is terminally ill, and so that creates a very real prejudice to the prosecution if this matter is further delayed,” Franjic said.
A court sketch of Chee Kit Chong (left) and Angie Yeh Ling Liaw.Credit: Nine News
“Now, it seems to me, Mr Cheung has had more than ample time and has been told on at least one occasion that he had to get [legal] funding organised and progress the matter.”
The court previously heard the pair allegedly kept the woman as a slave in their western suburbs home until medical staff contacted police with concerns she might have been a victim of human trafficking.
Chong was charged in November and his wife in April, both with the same alleged offences, after the police case was reviewed.
The court previously heard medical staff who came into contact with the victim could be among witnesses to give evidence at a later hearing.
If convicted, Chong and Liaw each face a maximum of 25 years in jail.
The matter was adjourned to August 7.
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