A babysitter convicted of stealing assorted items worth more than $10,000 from her employer’s home in Nabua, Suva has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Gyan Lata, 52, was sentenced by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne in the Suva Magistrate’s Court last week on a count of theft.
Court records show the mother of three stole gold and diamond jewellery valued at $10,135 from Shenal Singh, the wife of Suva lawyer Amrit Chand, in Nabua in 2020.
In his ruling, Mr Somaratne disregarded Lata’s prior good behaviour as a mitigating factor. Considering her age and the fact that the stolen items were recovered, Mr Somaratne said he did not find it appropriate to impose a full custodial sentence.
“A partly suspended sentence will provide her with an opportunity for rehabilitation.”
Lata has been ordered to serve eight months in jail with the remaining balance of seven months suspended for three years.
