Domestic helper jailed 18 months for stealing HK$561,400 in valuables from actress Cecilia Cheung

(SCMP) An Indonesian domestic helper who stole about half a million Hong Kong dollars worth of jewellery and other valuables from actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi was jailed for 18 months on Wednesday.

Rospeni, 30, was in financial difficulty and found the valuables spread around the flat a temptation, the District Court heard.

The helper pleaded guilty to stealing three handbags, two diamonds, six rings, five bracelets, three pairs of earrings, four necklaces, some pendants and three pairs of shoes, estimated to be worth about HK$561,400 in total.

A total of 28 items were taken from Cheung’s bedroom, bathroom and the flat’s living room between February 2016 and March 2016.

Rospeni worked for the actress in her Century Tower apartment in Central from March 2014 to June 2016.

Cheung’s assistant found the valuables in the helper’s luggage on June 28 – the last day of her employment. Rospeni was arrested after the theft was reported to police.

In mitigation, lawyer Adrian Yeung said his client came from a poor family and was facing financial difficulties.

“The valuables spread around in the flat were a temptation to her,” Yeung said, who noted that the items had been recovered.

But judge Frankie Yiu Fun-che asserted that the theft was serious and sentenced the maid to 18 months’ imprisonment.

Source: South China Morning Post by Eddie Lee

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