Sri Hastuti, a 39-year-old domestic helper, committed theft at her employer’s residence in the Marine Parade area, Singapore. Over the course of more than a year, she stole gold bars and jewelry worth over $57,000 from an unlocked drawer in her employer’s master bedroom. The stolen items included gold bars, an 18K white gold ring, two four-carat white diamond ear studs, and a Rolex watch valued at $20,000.
Discovery and Police Report
The thefts, which occurred between July 2022 and September 2023, were discovered by her employer, who subsequently reported the missing items to the police on October 1, 2023.
Sentencing and Restitution
Sri Hastuti was sentenced to 15 months in jail after pleading guilty to one charge of theft as a servant. The court found that she pawned the stolen items at multiple pawnshops and sent the proceeds to her family in Indonesia. Although some items worth $41,160 were recovered, Hastuti did not make any restitution to her employer or the pawnshops. She represented herself in court, as she did not have a lawyer.
Potential Penalties
For the offense of theft as a servant of an employer’s property, she could have faced up to seven years in jail and a fine.
Conclusion
The case highlights the serious nature of trust violations in domestic employment and the substantial penalties that can be imposed for such offenses in Singapore. Despite the recovery of some items, the financial and emotional impact on the victims of such crimes is often significant and long-lasting.
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