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| Royal Ascot, where the theft took place (Google Maps photo) |
A former domestic helper who claimed to have been plunged in debt by a friend who borrowed money in her name and then disappeared, has been jailed for eight months for stealing $118,777 from her employer.
Elena Balinas, 56 years old, had pleaded guilty to theft, contrary
to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, at Shatin Court on Thursday (Mar. 12). Magistrate
Kestrel Lam handed her the sentence after deducting one third from the starting
point of 12 months, as prescribed by sentencing guidelines.
Balinas was charged with stealing seven gold bracelets, valued
at $77,240; two gold rings, valued at $11,537, one pair of gold earrings, valued
at $10,000; and one gold necklace, valued at $20,000, the property of female Lau
Kam Ha,
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The theft took place between March 14, 2025 and March 2, 2026
at the family flat in Royal Ascot, on Tsun King Road, Shatin.
Balinas’ lawyer said Lau discovered that her jewelry in the bedroom
had gone missing and when confronted, Balinas admitted taking the valuables and
pawning them.
The employer recovered the jewelry by paying for them.
“Your employer lost a
substantial amount,” Magistrate Lam said.
Balinas told police in a video interview that she stole because
she was deep in debt to a financing company after a friend whom she helped take
out a loan vanished, leaving her unable to pay despite her salary of $5,500 per
month.
