Sydney woman GUILTY of ‘possessing’ Thai women as sex slaves.
A Sydney woman has been found guilty of keeping two Thai women as sex slaves.
Rungnapha “Lisa” Kanbut was found guilty by a NSW District Court jury on Wednesday of two counts each of intentionally possessing a slave, exercising powers of ownership over a slave and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The two Thai women, who voluntarily came to Australia from Asia to do sex work, lived with Kanbut and her husband at their home in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
They testified at Kanbut’s trial that she took their passports and returned them once they had each paid off a $45,000 “debt” which took some months.
The Crown alleged the 57-year-old “exercised complete control” over the women, but Kanbut’s barrister contended the pair instead had an “economic relationship” with her.
But after a week of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all of the charges.
Kanbut was refused bail and is next due to face court in September.
