Maid jailed for stealing from boss’ card

Eastern Law Courts Building

HER employer had the receipts.

C.Q. Rovero on July 4 pleaded guilty to five charges of theft at the Eastern Magistracy. The prosecution said that from May 16 to May 25 this year, the defendant would take money from her employer’s ATM card each time she would be told to go the supermarket to buy food and other items.

However, instead of taking money only to pay for food and other items as instructed by her employer, it was discovered that the domestic helper would take some money for her own.

On May 16, 20, and 22, Rovero took $500 each time she went to Marketplace in the Mid-levels. On May 24, she took $300, and on May 25, she took $200 from the card.

On May 25, the employer checked the account through online banking and compared the amount taken by the helper with the supermarket receipts.

The employer then discovered that the amount the helper took from the account was different to and bigger from the amount the helper paid for grocery items.

“The employer found out the helper withdrew money without her permission, and the defendant admitted that she took the money,” the brief facts of the case as read to the defendant in Tagalog said.

The Filipina was immediately terminated by the employer and was sent away.

The employer also reported the incidents to police.

On June 5, Rovero went to the Central Police Station to surrender.

The duty lawyer also said that before committing the offense, Rovero worked for her employer for eight months, earning $5,000 monthly.

“Her father passed away in March and her 18-year-old son needed money for university exams.

“It is still a breach of trust,” said Judge Chainrai.

“This [offense] was done out of desperation rather than greed or personal accumulation of wealth. She surrendered herself and she’s very, very sorry that’s why she pleaded guilty.

“This is an act of foolishness, and this is out of her character,” the lawyer added.

Judge Chainrai said the offenses were committed in a span of 10 days and that there was an element of pre-meditation.

“In my view, the only appropriate sentence is a custodial sentence,” the magistrate said.

Rovero was then sentenced to three weeks in prison for each of the five charges.

Judge Chainrai, however, reduced it to two weeks owing to the Filipina’s guilty plea.

The prison terms would be served concurrently. The prosecution added that prior to these charges, the defendant had a clear record.

The prosecutor also asked Judge Chainrai to order the defendant to compensate the victim.

However, Rovero’s duty lawyer said the defendant was in no position to compensate the employer as she had lost her job and her earning potential here in Hong Kong.