FDH admits stealing her employer’s Rolex watch
Eastern Magistrates' Courts in Sai Wan Ho
A 31-year-old Filipino domestic worker was sentenced to six months in prison after she admitted to stealing her employer’s Rolex watch and other valuables.
Eastern Principal Magistrate Law Peter Law convicted Emily M.P. after she admitted to stealing and pawning her employer’s Rolex watch, Canon EOS 700D camera, and one camera lens from her employer in Tai Hang.
“This is a breach of trust case. The domestic helper stole from her employer. This type of case is one of the most serious categories of breach of trust,” Judge Law said on August 6.
“The amount involved stolen amount to $48,000. You pleaded guilty..I give you one third discount down to six months. You are sentenced to six months in prison,” he added.
Emily’s lawyer said the Filipino woman committed the crime because her father had cancer and needed treatment.
“Defendant committed the offense because of her father’s illness. She needs money for her father’s cancer treatment,” the lawyer said.
“Her father is suffering from cancer. There is a tumor in his throat. An operation was done in November 2017,” he added.
The lawyer said the medical expenses of the defendant’s father reached $15,000 and so “she was desperate for money.”
“She is remorseful and sorry for what she did,” the lawyer said. “It is highly unlike that she will ever work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong again. She asks for leniency.”
The domestic helper was accused earlier of also stealing a pair of diamond earrings and a necklace but these were removed from the amended charge sheet that was read to Emily on August 6.
Emily’s lawyer said she came here in Hong Kong in 2013 to work as a domestic helper. She is married with two children–aged 14 and 11–while her husband is a farmer.
The police arrested the domestic worker after her employer initially accused her of stealing $67,000 worth of valuables, including the earrings and necklace. But apparently, the police were only able to find evidence regarding the Rolex and the camera and so the total amount of stolen valuables was reduced to $48,000.
The thefts allegedly happened between Sept. 21, 2017 and July 1 in her employer’s flat at Block 2, Illumination Terrace, 5-7 Tai Hang Road, Tai Hang, Hong Kong Island.
A government lawyer told Judge Law that the suspect admitted to committing the crime during the police interrogation. He added that investigators also found three pawnshop tickets in her possession.