In a recent court ruling, a Filipina named Geraldine Manzano, aged 43, has been sentenced to 10 weeks in jail for the theft of three gold chains from her elderly employer while the employer was hospitalized. Initially denying the theft, Manzano was ultimately convicted after the trial at the Kowloon City Court.
The prosecution presented evidence, including two pawnshop receipts found in Manzano's possession, indicating that she had pawned two of the gold chains for a total of $4,800. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the third gold chain could not be determined.
Deputy Magistrate Simon Kwong emphasized the substantial value of the gold chains, which likely exceeded the amount for which they were pawned, not to mention their sentimental significance to the late owner's family.
During the proceedings, Manzano's lawyer appealed to Magistrate Kwong for leniency, highlighting the impact the incident had already had on Manzano's life. She had been unemployed for six weeks and relied on her relatives for support. The lawyer further requested a suspended sentence, allowing Manzano to return home and care for her elderly mother and four children, three of whom are still studying.
However, Magistrate Kwong rejected the plea, asserting that the gravity of the offense warranted a custodial sentence. He also noted that the breach of trust perpetrated by Manzano, taking advantage of her relationship with the dying victim, further aggravated the theft.
The theft occurred on October 3, 2023, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon.
護工因從瀕臨死亡的僱主那裡偷竊了3條金鏈而被判入獄10週
一名菲律宾女子被判入狱10周，原因是她在雇主住院期间盗窃了三条黄金项链。
现年43岁的Geraldine Manzano此前否认从女雇主Cheung Yuk Mui那里盗窃黄金项链，但在九龙城法院的审判结束后被判有罪。
检控方提供的证据包括从Manzano处找到的两张典当店收据，显示她典当了其中两条黄金项链，总价值为4800美元。
第三条黄金项链无法追踪。
副法官Simon Kwong表示，这些黄金项链的价值很可能超过典当金额，更不用说对已故雇主家族的情感价值了。
Manzano的律师请求Kwong法官对她从轻处罚，因为她已经因犯罪行为遭受了后果，失业了六周，依靠亲戚维持生计。
律师还要求判处缓刑，以便让Manzano回家照顾她年迈的母亲和四个孩子，其中三个仍在上学。
但是Kwong法官驳回了这一建议，表示这种犯罪行为需要监禁刑。他还指出，这起盗窃案的一个加重因素是Manzano滥用与垂危受害者的关系。
这起盗窃案发生在2023年10月3日，地点是九龙的伊利沙伯医院。
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