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| The theft took place in a flat at Tregunther Path in Mid-Levels (Google Maps photo) |
A Filipina domestic helper has been sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment for each of the five counts of theft she was charged with for stealing jewelry worth more than $250,000 from her employer, after pleading guilty at Eastern Court yesterday, Oct. 2.
But Bernadette Gantioque, 45 years old, ended up with a jail term of just 16
months after Magistrate Minnie Wat ordered that the five sentences run at the same
time, following the principle of totality of charges. This after Magistrate Wat
deducted one-third from the initial sentence of 24 months for each charge.
Gantioque, who had served the family at Tavistock II on Tregunter Path in Mid-Levels since 2023, was arrested after her employer noticed some of her jewelry missing and found pawnshop receipts among her belongings, and called the police.
The helper readily confessed to stealing the items during the police investigation that
followed.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Her lawyer said she stole because her family was in
financial distress. But he added that she would not be able to pay even just the $7,350 compensation
demanded by her employer.
“This is a breach of trust case,” Magistrate Wat told
Gantioque, who noted that some of the items could no longer be recovered. “This
is serious.”
The first charge arose from Gantioque stealing a ring last
Feb. 16. The second case occurred the next day when she stole one pair of
earrings.
On April 12, she stole another another ring. Later the same
day, she took two pairs of earrings and one pendant.
Finally, she was charged with stealing one earring on an
unknown date between Jan. 1 and June 9.
