Kleptomaniac PRC housewife put on probation again

[MarrickG]

A HOUSEWIFE with an uncontrollable impulse to steal was in and out of prison for 15 years until March 2008.

That was when she stole three watches and found herself before Justice V.K. Rajah, who overturned the nine-month jail term she had been given and put her on probation for 18 months.

But the Chinese national, who is married to a Singaporean, stole yet again while on probation – this time, groceries worth all of $7.90 from a supermarket.

Once again, she found herself in Justice Rajah’s court – as is the requirement when an offender breaches a probation order.
And once again, he has deemed probation the way to go for a kleptomaniac like her: He extended her probation by another 18 months, effective yesterday.

She could have been jailed up to seven years and fined for theft.

Justice Rajah acknowledged to the prosecution that it was possible that the woman may steal yet again, and if that happened, she should be brought before him.

If she lapses again, he urged the prosecution: “I hope you take a common-sense approach in dealing with this case. I think I need not elaborate further.”

The housewife, an architect by training, was charged with the supermarket theft and in February, given 18 months’ probation by a district court.

The two probation orders will run separately.

Justice Rajah had, in a landmark judgment in a similar case in 2007, said prosecutors should be “slow” to charge kleptomaniacs.

Laying out sentencing guidelines for future cases then, he ruled that offenders diagnosed as kleptomaniacs by independent doctors should be placed on probation, but made it clear that “acts of pretence” would not be condoned.

Yesterday, he also acknowledged the woman’s support network. In her case, being on probation meant complying with medical treatment and a supervision plan. Her husband gave up his job as a lecturer to take care of her and signed a $10,000 bond to ensure her good behaviour. The man, now a taxi driver, was with her in court yesterday.

Justice Rajah, noting the sacrifice he was making for his wife, said to him: “Your devotion is commendable. That’s why we want to help the two of you.”

Commendable devotion

“Your devotion is commendable. That’s why we want to help the two of you.”
- Justice Rajah to the accused’s husband

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

Is the female accused pretty ?

Why no name no pics ? If male accused, his face would have been splashed across TNP centerfold.