A domestic helper has been jailed for 12 months after she
pleaded guilty at Fanling Court to stealing 23 pieces of jewelry worth HK$208,950
Maricel Villegas, 44 years old, was convicted on Tuesday (April 28) of theft, contrary
to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance,.
Acting Principal Magistrate Jason Wan set
a starting point of 16 months in jail, which he reduced by one third as a
discount for her guilty plea.
A police complaint alleged that Villegas stole 11 gold
bangles, four gold rings, five gold necklaces and pendants, one gold necklace,
one gold bracelet, and one silver ring, worth a total of HK$208,950, the
property of Cheng Hoi-tung.
The theft took place between Nov. 8, 2025 and Feb. 11, 2026,
at her employer’s flat at Fan Garden, 17 Fan Leng Lau Road in Fanling, New
Territories.

