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Fiona Chow

A Hong Kong court sentenced a Swedish businessman to seven years in jail on Monday after he was found guilty of raping his domestic helper.
Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, 36, was earlier found guilty in the High Court of one count of rape and another of buggery without consent for sexually assaulting his helper in his bedroom on the night of October 27, 2022.
According to reports submitted to court on Monday assessing Ekstrom’s mental health, he was deemed to be unstable in mid-2022 after he experienced a number of stresses, including the deteriorating relationship with his wife.
Recorder Derek Chan Ching-lung, who presided over the trial, noted from the reports that the defendant had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which caused him to have an elated mood, increased sex drive and manic episodes.
Chan noted that Ekstrom’s mental disorder was triggered by the departure of his wife and children, which left him feeling abandoned.
“Having sex with [the victim] was a way to cope with his negative feeling,” Chan said citing the reports.
According to the experts’ assessment, the defendant had a “high end to moderate risk” of reoffending as he had shown no remorse and did not realise the impact his action towards the victim.
The recorder said the defendant had grossly breached the trust of the victim, who was in a vulnerable position and dependent on her employer.
The court was told that the helper had suffered post-traumatic symptoms, such as frequent flashbacks of the assault, low mood and having nightmares.

The Nepalese victim earlier testified the defendant came home drunk on the day of the attack after learning his wife and children had left him.
She told the court that Ekstrom at one point became very emotional and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demand for sex.
He then pressed her down onto the bed before sexually assaulting her, only stopping when she cried out in pain.
Ekstrom had denied raping the woman and claimed she had initiated sex with him on two other occasions, during which the helper asked him to repay a debt she had incurred.
He also argued in his defence that she had initiated sex with him on the night in question to offer him “comfort”.
According to the prosecution, the victim left the defendant’s home in the early morning after the attack and went straight to the police station to make a report.
On the same day, the defendant transferred HK$15,000 (US$1,925) to the victim’s bank account.
The court was told on Monday that Ekstrom was a graduate of City University and ran a successful business of wholesale and distribution in electronics in Hong Kong.
HELP for Domestic Workers, a NGO helping the helper to walk through the legal action, said the conviction was a “legal victory” that showed the resilience and strength of a victim of sexual abuse.
Manisha Wijesinghe, executive director of the NGO, said that although justice was “long awaited”, the result served as a “stark reminder” to the public of the vulnerabilities faced by domestic workers in the city.


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Hong Kong courts

Swedish businessman jailed for 7 years for raping domestic helper in Hong Kong flat

The court earlier heard that Patrik Tobias Ekstrom came home drunk on the day of the attack and sexually assaulted the victim. Photo: Elson Li

The court heard that defendant Patrik Tobias Ekstrom’s mental health was deemed to be unstable in mid-2022. Photo: Warton Li

Swedish businessman found guilty of raping domestic helper in his Hong Kong home

Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, leaves the High Court during a court break. Photo: Elson Li

Patrik Tobias Ekstrom will be sentenced in the High Court on November 11. Photo: Warton Li

Swedish businessman accused of rape in Hong Kong says Nepalese domestic helper initiated sex

Patrik Tobias Ekstrom is accused of raping his domestic helper in 2022. Photo: Elson Li

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, 36, was earlier found guilty of two charges in connection with sexually assaulting his helper on the night of October 27, 2022


Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, 36, was earlier found guilty of two charges in connection with sexually assaulting his helper on the night of October 27, 2022.
