The live-in assistant of Gem Nascimento was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison after she admitted to stealing cash and jewellery from her employer.
Shondell Williams, 36, of 59 Russell Street, Charlestown, pleaded guilty to a charge that she stole three pairs of diamond earrings and $421,000 cash from her boss, when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
According to police prosecutor Deniro Jones, on December 27, 2015, Williams made a report at the East La Penitence Police Station that Nascimento’s home had been broken into and items were missing.
The court was told that as police began their investigations, it was found that Williams was acting nervously and could not provide answers to basic questions being asked.
Jones related that when the room Williams occupied at the residence was searched, diamond earrings and a quantity of jewellery were uncovered. Nascimento later clarified that it was in fact three pairs of earrings and a quantity of foreign currency that were recovered.
When Williams was given the opportunity to respond and provide an explanation for her behaviour, she declined to comment. The Chief Magistrate reprimanded her, stating that she had been placed in a position of trust and so honesty was expected.
She then sentenced Williams to 18 months in prison and ordered that the jewellery, which is currently lodged at the police station, be returned to Nascimento.
