An elderly Malaysian woman who had a penchant for stealing other people’s belongings in Singapore found herself sentenced to jail again for theft.
Shin Min Daily News reported that 75-year-old Ng Kim Swee was convicted and fined for theft back in 1971, sentenced to 10 years of preventive detention in 2004, and went to jail multiple times for theft.
Furthermore, she was also convicted of theft and house-breaking in Malaysia in 1977, 1985, 1987, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, according to CNA.
Targeted tourists at crowded stores
According to the prosecution, Ng would often prowl around at crowded stores before targeting those who had open handbags.
In order not to get caught on film, she would check for observers and CCTVS before positioning herself out of its line of sight.
She would then pretend to look for items while standing next to her target before stealing the victim’s wallet.
On Feb 1, 2023, Ng stole an Indonesian tourist’s wallet at St. Leaven Bakery in Takashimaya shopping centre, where the victim’s handbag was unzipped.
To make it less obvious, she stood beside the victim, held a packet of bread in one hand and used the other to steal the wallet, which contained cards and cash of S$2,000 (approx. RM6,900) and 3 million rupiah (RM900).
On Jan 22, 2023, Ng stole a Gucci wallet from a Singaporean at the Louis Vuitton store at Marina Bay Sands. However, she was caught and charged for both incidents on Feb 8.
Committed theft while out on bail
Unfortunately, it did little to break Ng’s habit of stealing, where she went on to steal a South Korean woman’s wallet while she was out on bail on Feb. 15, 2023.
However, when she saw that there wasn’t much of value inside the wallet, she ditched it at an aisle in the store and took the money instead.
On Apr 26, she was charged for this offense and had her bail revoked. Days after she was released at a higher bail amount, Ng stole again and was remanded.
A total of nine statements was recorded from her, where she lied in every one of them, saying that she didn’t steal despite CCTV evidence.
75yo M’sian woman who stole for 50 years jailed for theft
Ng’s stealing spree of 50 years was brought to an unsurprising conclusion, where she was jailed for four years on Wednesday (Nov 1) after pleading guilty to three charges of theft.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin described her as a repeat offender, adding that she displayed “recalcitrance at every opportunity”, reported CNA.
In mitigation, Ng said through a court interpreter that she came from a deeply unfortunate family background and that her husband wasted the money she earned on gambling and prostitutes.
She also said she had to fend for herself and her children after her husband abandoned the family. Her lawyer told the judge that she had a son who was ill and needed a lot of medication.
‘Just borrowing from the rich’
Ng also promised the judge that it would be her last time committing theft again.
She had no choice but to do all these things as she was desperate. She feels that she was just borrowing from the rich to help her in her dire situation,” said the interpreter.
In response, the judge said he truly hoped it would be Ng’s final time in reoffending.
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