Singapore - A Singaporean woman was charged with repeatedly punching her Indonesian maid, whacking her with a wooden spatula and kicking the woman in the mouth, news reports said on Thursday.

Housewife Chan Geok Joo, 39, faces 10 counts of maid abuse.

She was accused of having committed the offences against Sri Utami, in her 20s, at home on three separate days in 2006, The Straits Times said.

The case was scheduled for next Wednesday.

Any employer who voluntarily causes hurt to a domestic helper can be jailed for up to 18 months and fined up to 1,500 Singapore dollars (1,094 US dollars) on each charge. (dpa)