Filipino domestic helper sentenced to two weeks for $500 earrings theft

A 44-year-old Filipino domestic helper was sentenced to two weeks in prison on Friday (Jan 30) at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts after admitting theft of a pair of HK$500 earrings from her employer.

The incident occurred on January 28 at an apartment in Rhine Heights, Fo Tan, Sha Tin. The earrings, belonging to the employer, were usually kept in a red box in the bedroom. Around 1am, the employer found the originals missing and discovered a pair in the helper’s jewelry box. When questioned, the helper returned the earrings and admitted taking them for personal gain.

The helper, Dela Cruz Linalyn Andres, had been employed by the victim since 2024. Her contract ended on the day of the incident.

During mitigation, her lawyer said she had no criminal record, was divorced with a child, and regularly sent most of her salary to support her mother and a sister with kidney failure. The defense also highlighted that she returned the earrings immediately when confronted and expressed remorse.

Magistrate Jeffrey Sze Cho-yiu said the theft involved a breach of trust. He noted that the timing of the contract’s end made detection more difficult. Considering her guilty plea and lack of prior convictions, the court sentenced her to two weeks in prison.