Woman allegedly kept as slave for eight years was scalded with hot water, court hears

LAWYERS for a Victorian woman say she was kept as a slave for eight years and scalded with hot water, a court has heard.

Middle aged pair Kumuthini Kannan and Kandasamy Kannan, of Mount Waverley, have each been charged with possessing a slave, between July 2007 and July 2015, and one count of exercising ownership over a slave.

A WOMAN allegedly kept by a Melbourne couple as a slave for eight years was scalded with hot water, a court has heard.

Middle aged pair Kumuthini Kannan and Kandasamy Kannan, of Mount Waverley, have each been charged with possessing a slave, between July 2007 and July 2015, and one count of exercising ownership over a slave.

They face charges that carry maximum jail terms of 25 years but have denied the allegations.

The woman allegedly kept as a slave can give her evidence against them via video recording because she is still vulnerable two years on.

Prosecutors told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday the complainant — who allegedly was scalded with hot water during the ordeal — is vulnerable and physically unwell.

They requested she be spared from appearing at the five-day committal hearing to give evidence, an application Magistrate Jacinta Dwyer granted.

“This is a case clearly where the complainant is a vulnerable adult,” crown prosecutor Krista Breckweg said.

“She remains physically unwell.”

The defence opposed the application and raised a number of issues, including the manner in which police questioned the alleged victim, arguing it was prejudicial.

The committal hearing had been due to occur in May but has been held off until December while the defence sorts out funding issues.

Originally published as Woman allegedly kept as slave for eight years was scalded with hot water, court hears