 |
| The magistrate said the defendant's financial need did not justify her engaging in prostitution |
A 44-year-old Filipina domestic helper who pleaded guilty to
breaching her condition of stay by engaging in prostitution was jailed for four
weeks today, Sept 8, by an Eastern
Court
J. F. Sarmiento’s lawyer said in mitigation that the defendant
committed the offense to make extra money due to financial need. But he was rebuked by
Magistrate Bina Chainrai, who said her need for money does not justify her
committing the offense.
 |
| Pindutin para sa detalye! |
“Is financial need a ground for mitigation?” the magistrate
told the lawyer with sarcasm.
In sentencing the defendant, Chainrai said, “Your employment
contract states that you can’t take on another work other than as a domestic
helper.”
 |
| Call now! |
The magistrate gave Sarmiento a one-third discount for
pleading guilty to the charge and sent her to jail for four weeks.
The charge sheet read to the defendant said that during a
police operation on Sept 6 against illegal sex workers in Wanchai, an officer
on cyber patrol found an advertisement offering sex to interested males. The ad
had a contact number, 9380 4424.
 | |
|
An officer dialed the number and a woman arranged a meet-up
outside the Wanchai MTR station. The undercover officer then met with the
defendant.
The two went to Room 118 on the first floor of Park
Excellent Hotel in Lap Hing Bldg on Hennessy
Road
The officer paid $1,500 in marked money and went to the shower
as instructed by the defendant. When he emerged, he announced he was an officer
and arrested the woman. The marked money, a KY Jelly bottle, a red handbag and
a mobile phone were seized.
Police said Sarmiento admitted the offense under caution
during investigation.
The prosecution said she had a clear record. The prosecutor
said the Immigration Department confirmed the defendant was a domestic helper
at Elizabeth House in Causeway
Bay
In mitigation, the defense lawyer said Sarmiento was a
single mother whose husband left her nine years ago. She is supporting her two
daughters, one aged 17 and another who was 15 when she gave birth to a boy, now
7 years old.
An older Filipina who was in the courtroom with two
compatriots, later approached the court interpreter outside the courtroom and
was overheard as saying she was Sarmiento’s employer.
 |
| PADALA NA! |
