A 39-YEAR-OLD woman was charged on Wednesday with 10 counts of abusing her Indonesian maid in 2006.

Chan Geok Joo is alleged to have punched Ms Sri Utami at her flat in Hougang Avenue 7 on Aug 1, Sept 14 and 15 that year.

Three of the alleged incidents occurred on Aug 1 and Sept 15 and four times on Sept 14.

On Sept 14, she is said to have kicked the maid on her buttocks, her head and mouth.

The next day, she is accused of hitting the maid on her left thigh and her left calf with a wooden spatula in the kitchen.

The fair looking woman, who was dressed in a sleeveless white top and black skirt, told the court that she would be engaging a lawyer.

The case will be mentioned on April 23.

Any employer who voluntarily causes hurt to a domestic helper can be jailed for to 18 months and/or fined up to $1,500 on each charge.