Couple charged with keeping female slave in Point Cook home, Melbourne, on temporary visa
Woman, 44, and husband 15 years her junior, accused of keeping female SLAVE in their family home, are seen for the first time – it turns out she was ‘monitored and assaulted’ for 10 months while on a temporary visa
- Chee Kit Chong and Angie Yeh Ling Liaw charged
- Authorities were tipped off by a health worker
- The couple appeared in court in Melbourne on Thursday
- Both remain free in the community on bail
A married couple have appeared in court in Melbourne alleging they kept a woman as a slave in their family home.
Chee Kit ‘Max’ Chong, 44, and Angie Yeh Ling Liaw, 29, from Point Cook – in Melbourne’s western suburbs – both appeared via video link at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Both are charged with owning a slave, using coercion and threats to keep another person in servitude and control over a slave.
Chee Kit Chong, 44, and Angie Yeh Ling Liaw, 29, are charged with committing crimes against humanity
Two AFP officers escort Chee Kit Chong after his arrest last year
The couple faces up to 25 years in prison, with slavery deemed a “crime against humanity.”
In 2021, Melbourne couple Kumuthini and Kandasamy Kannan were both found guilty by a High Court jury of owning a slave and exercising power over a slave and were sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively.
The court heard that the Point Cook couple’s alleged slave was identified by medical professionals, some of whom will have to testify at a preliminary hearing scheduled for later this year.
That hearing will determine whether the case will be referred to Victoria’s Supreme Court, where a jury trial is likely to take place.
The court heard while Liaw was represented by a lawyer, her husband has yet to find out if he will be represented by the same company.
“We’re saying there’s no conflict at this point,” Liaw’s attorney, Payne Wu, told the court. “We are confident to act on behalf of both co-defendants.”
It is understood that the couple’s alleged slave, whose name cannot be disclosed, was staying in Australia with the couple on a temporary visa.
Chee Kit Chong is accused of enslaving a woman
Chee Kit Chong remains free on bail pending slavery charges
The couple’s arrest followed an eight-month investigation by the Australian Federal Police, who proudly paraded Chong’ in front of the media during his arrest.
Authorities were tipped off in October 2022 by a health worker who visited the address concerned that the woman might “display indicators of human trafficking.”
The AFP alleges the woman was kept in a house at the couple’s home in Point Cook between January and October 2022.
Agents raided the property on October 27 last year and charged Chong the following month.
His wife was only charged in April this year.
Both are believed to be staying together as a couple, with Chong requesting that they both be allowed to report for bail at the same police station.
Angie Yeh Ling Liaw was arrested months after AFP officers rushed at her husband
AFP officers paraded Chee Kit ‘Max’ Chong at his arrest
AFP officers raided the property on October 27, 2022 after a health worker visited the address and raised concerns
On Wednesday, AFP Detective Simone Butcher said the AFP provides training to first responders, health workers and the community to recognize indicators of human trafficking and slavery.
Everyone can play a role in stopping human trafficking. We encourage anyone who suspects human trafficking or sees anything suspicious to report it,” said Det Supt Slager.
“Without the help of the community – in this case healthcare providers – victims may go unnoticed and we would not be able to provide victims with the help and support they need.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking or slavery, you can report it to the AFP by calling AFP 131 (131 237).