“A British national has been fined S$5,000 (US$3,840) for a theft spree at Singapore’s Changi Airport during her transit,” a court stated on Thursday (Sep 5). The woman, identified as Tanya Bridget Hughes, 36, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, with another five charges taken into consideration.
According to court records, Hughes stole cosmetics, neck pillows, and other items worth more than S$600 in total from various shops at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 on May 31 while waiting for her flight to Bali.
The court heard that Hughes went to The Shilla Cosmetics and Perfumes Outlet, where she took a pack of eye cream products worth more than S$158 and concealed them in her bag. She then proceeded to Charles & Keith store, where she stole a black shoulder bag and its attached pouch, worth over S$82. Additionally, she was found to have stolen two books worth nearly S$37 from the WHSmith book store, two neck pillows worth about S$50 each, two trays of chocolates worth about S$46 in total from 7-Eleven, four tubes of La Roche Posay sun block and moisturizer worth about S$154, and a S$59.90 water tumbler from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Eventually, Hughes’ spree was brought to an end when she was caught red-handed and arrested. During the sentencing arguments, the prosecutor sought a fine of at least S$5,000, emphasizing that this amount was already very lenient given the circumstances.
Hughes’ lawyer, Mr. Jeremy Mark Pereira from Withers KhattarWong, expressed his client’s remorse and apologized to the court for her conduct. He explained that his client “has issues” for which she requires medication and that she is committed to “never offending again”.
Deputy Principal District Judge Ong Chin Rhu considered the circumstances of the case before imposing the fine and subsequently, Hughes paid the fine in full.
For each count of theft, she could have been jailed for up to three years, fined, or both.
