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| The theft happened inside a flat at Stanley Prison Staff Quarters (File) |
A Filipina domestic worker who admitted stealing $35,167 in various denominations from her employer who works at Stanley Prison was sentenced to four months in jail earlier today, Nov. 17, at Eastern Court.
Susan P. Palacio, 40 years old, a single mother to
seven children, pleaded guilty to one count of theft, which happened between
July 15 and Oct 1 this year at her employer’s residence at the Stanley Prison
Staff Quarters in Stanley.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The amount lost consisted of HK$30,500 cash, AUD200
and EU500 which Palacio’s employer put inside an unlocked cabinet in his room
on July 15.
On Oct. 3, the employer checked the CCTV in his room
and saw the helper enter two days earlier at 6:51am, and take something out of
the cabinet. After seeing the missing cash, he immediately called the police who
arrested Palacio.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
In her cautioned statement, Palacio said she found
the money while fixing clothes inside the cabinet. But she insisted that what
she took was only HK$10,000 plus EU500 and AUD 200, which she said she had
intended to send to her family in the Philippines on Oct. 1, but was unfortunately
picked from her backpack.
In court, her lawyer said the helper did not have
the means to repay the money lost as she had lost her job, and was not even able
to collect her salary for the month of September. She said she was willing to
give up her claim to her salary, but that was all she could give back to her
employer.
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| PINDUTIN DITO! |
The defense lawyer asked for a lenient sentence,
saying Palacio was the sole breadwinner in her family, and that she sent most
of her salary to her seven children back in the Philippines, as she had
separated from her husband.
Last Aug. 23, her daughter was bitten by a snake,
adding to her worries.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
In sentencing, Magistrate Minnie Wat pointed out
that the offence lasted for two months, and involved a serious breach of the
employer’s trust. Also, aside from her uncollected salary, the defendant was
unable to pay full compensation to the employer.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
After giving due weight to her clear record and admission
of guilt, the magistrate said the suitable starting point for the sentence was
six months, but after the prescribed one-third discount for a guilty plea, reduced it to four months.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
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| PADALA NA! |
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