By
Vir B. Lumicao
 |
| Screen grab from video showing how to distinguish between a fake and genuine Ray-Ban |
A Filipina domestic helper was sentenced in Eastern
Court today, Jan 11, to two weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, and fined
$500 for selling fake “Ray Ban” sunglasses and for breaching her visa condition
by engaging in unrelated work.
Marilyn Lopez, 40, pleaded guilty before Magistrate
Bina Chainrai to one count each of possessing fake goods for sale or other
purposes, and breaching her condition of stay.
Lopez wiped off her tears as her duty lawyer requested
Chainrai to not record her conviction so she could still work in Hong Kong in
the future to support her family, but the magistrate refused.
The prosecution said Lopez was arrested at 10:50am on
Jan 12 last year by a Customs officer in civilian clothes who saw her at a
sidewalk on Des Voeux Rd Central, and beside were here 11 pieces of the
counterfeit sunglasses.
The Customs man observed until he saw the defendant
offer the goods for sale to pedestrians. He identified himself and intercepted
the seller and the goods.
During questioning, Lopez reportedly said she was a
domestic worker in Hong Kong for seven years. She said the seized goods were
hers and she was selling them.
The duty lawyer assigned to her said Lopez came to
Hong Kong in 2007 as a domestic helper.
While the case was pending, she was allowed bail and
continued to work for her employer, who submitted a letter to the court saying
the defendant was a worker “with integrity and was hardworking and
trustworthy”.
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