Maid continued to siphon elderly employer's valuables even after she was caught
SINGAPORE — An Indonesian maid employed to care for a 76-year-old lady stole her jewellery and pawned them.
Even after she was caught and given a second chance by her employer’s son, Eti Maryati persisted in her thieving ways and emptied all the jewellery from her employer’s drawer in the year leading up to the elderly woman’s death.
Eti, 45, was jailed for seven months on Friday (8 May) after she pleaded guilty to one count of committing theft as a servant.
Stole more than $7,000 worth of valuables
She had been hired by the elderly woman late in 2015 as a domestic helper to care for her due to her advanced age. She stayed with the victim and her 52-year-old son at a flat along Woodlands Street 82.
During her work, Eti discovered that the victim stashed her jewellery and cash in a locked drawer, and that the key was hidden under the victim’s pillow.
Between 9 October 2018 and 6 October last year, Eti stole the victim’s jewellery and cash from the drawer using the key, and then pawned the jewellery for money. As her work permit was held by the victim, the maid had asked fellow domestic helpers to pawn the jewellery in her stead.
Eti’s thieving ways were discovered by the victim’s son in October 2018. However, the son decided to give her another chance after confronting her, and did not report the matter to the police after the maid assured him then that she would turn over a new leaf.
Eti did not keep her promise, and persisted in siphoning off the old lady’s valuables down to the last piece of jewellery – a gold bangle – bringing the total value of the cash and jewellery she stole to $7,110.
Empty drawer discovered on day of employer’s death
Her employer passed away on 6 October last year. On the day of her death, her son checked the drawer and found it empty. He made a police report at about 11.19pm.
After lodging the report, the man spent $6,030 to redeem the items pawned by the maid and she has not restituted him the money.
For committing theft as a servant, Eti could have been jailed up to seven years, and fined.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Other Singapore stories:
Improving migrant workers' conditions must involve every segment of society: experts
COVID-19: More Singapore workplaces allowed to re-open gradually, safe measures needed
COVID-19 safeguards in foreign worker dorms 'not sufficient', says Lawrence Wong: report
COVID-19: 2nd reusable mask distribution at end of circuit breaker period – Chan Chun Sing
