Couple who kept slave 'showed distinct lack of care'

A judge has told a court a couple who kept a woman as a slave for eight years in their Melbourne home have never expressed any remorse.

Kumuthini Kannan and her husband Kandasamy were found guilty in April of keeping the Tamil grandmother as a working prisoner inside their Mount Waverley house.

Her appalling condition was uncovered when she was discovered in a pool of urine and emaciated, weighing just 40kg.

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They paid her just over $3 a day to cook, clean and care for their three children.

Prosecutors say they trapped her inside the property when they went away on overseas holidays.

When the woman was found in their home she was suffering sepsis, untreated diabetes and was missing her teeth.

Justice John Champion told the Supreme Court of Victoria the couple showed "a distinct lack of care".

"They must have been aware she was probably days away from dying, and it's never been conveyed that 'we were sorry'," he said.

Mr Kannan's barrister said they were reluctant to apologise because any expression of regret could be taken as an admission of liability or culpability, which could impact an appeal in the future.

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Since being found guilty, the court heard the 57-year-old man has been diagnosed with mild autism and a major depressive disorder.

His lawyer has argued Mr Kannan's mental health will deteriorate if incarcerated and that his client should be given a suspended sentence so he can care for his three children who have special needs.

Mrs Kannan's bail has been revoked, but her husband has been allowed to remain in the community to organise care for their children.

The court has been told this is the first domestic slavery case of its kind ever heard in Australia.

The husband and wife are now both facing a maximum jail sentence of 25 years and are currently out on bail.

The couple will learn their fate on July 21.