A Filipina whose teenaged daughter who plunged to her death at an upscale Hong Kong apartment was ordered jailed as her violation of visa laws was uncovered in the wake of the tragedy.
Herminia Garcia, 53, despite the defense seeking mitigation over the “awful” loss of her daughter, was sent to prison for a year for overstaying in Hong Kong.
Her partner, British businessman Nick Cousins, 58, was likewise slapped an eight month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting Garcia’s offense and for failing to register their daughter’s birth.
Cousins and Garcia were initially accused of neglect after their 15-year-old daughter fell to her death from 21st floor in an apartment block in Repulse Bay in April. But the charge against Garcia was eventually dropped and Cousins was never formally charged after an investigation.
Instead, both were charged with visa violations.
According to court sources, Garcia had been married in a Philippines and her husband would not grant her a divorce. While in Hong Kong, her right to remain in the city expired in 1994. She was reportedly working as domestic helper in Hong Kong from 1990.
Garcia had pleaded guilty to “breach of condition to stay” and Cousins pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting her. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to register the births of their two daughters.
The accused were “selfish” for flouting Hong Kong laws, according to Magistrate So wai-tak.
“The children, though receiving proper education and care, do not have an identity,” he said, adding that Cousins was given a lighter sentence because Garcia had already overstayed her visa when they decided to have a long-term relationship.
Cousins stepped down in August as managing director of the Hong Kong office of British multinational Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT).
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