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| The theft took place in one of the flats here (Google Maps photo) |
By Leo A. Deocadiz
A Filipina has been sentenced to eight months in jail after she pleaded guilty at Kowloon City Court to stealing $153,870.worth of jewelry and cash from the employer she has served for 10 years.
Genevie Rueda, 46 years old, wiped her tears as Magistrate
Philip Chan handed down her sentence, which had been discounted by one-third from
a starting point of 12 months, for her guilty plea during a hearing on Thursday
(May 8).
Magistrate Chan said the crime was made serious by the breach
of trust and the big amount involved.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Rueda, who has worked for the employer since she arrived in
Hong Kong in 2015, was charged with stealing cash -- HK$250, US$100, 100 Euros, $20,000
Australian dollars -- along with one pair of silver rings, one jade pendant, two gold
coins and two gold necklaces.
The theft, which took place at the employer’s flat at Mantin
Heights in Hung Hom between December 2023 and last March 22, was discovered
after the employer noticed that some of his belongings in his bedroom cabinet were
missing.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
After a review of CCTV footage, the employer called police
and had Rueda arrested. Some of the missing items were found in her possession,
along with receipts for items she had already pawned.
In mitigation, her defense lawyer said she was forced to
steal because of the demands of her brothers, who were addicts, who threatened
to harm her son if she did not send them cash.
The lawyer sought a lenient sentence so she can go home to reunite with her son, who is graduating from college in July.
