(Bandar Seri Begawan, 10th) A former court registrar abused her authority, defrauding probate applicants of over $8,000, and was sentenced to 54 months in jail on December 14, 2024.
The defendant, Lasyia, was employed at the Supreme Court's Probate Registry from 1982 until she was suspended in 2018. She pleaded guilty to 21 charges of fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
According to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, between 2010 and 2018, the defendant deceived the public seeking probate and estate management services by falsely claiming they needed to submit additional applications, and that she was authorized to collect the related fees.
Instead of handing over the money to the court cashier, she pocketed it and forged slips with false receipt numbers. Over eight years, the total amount defrauded reached $8,436.
The court emphasized several aggravating factors, including the abuse of a position of trust, the prolonged nature of the offense, and the loss of public confidence in the judicial system.
The judge noted the defendant showed limited remorse, falsely claimed to have partially repaid one victim, and explained her actions were due to financial need and a lack of workplace supervision, an excuse dismissed by the judge.
The judge stated that these crimes occurred within a court environment where public trust in government institutions is crucial. A deterrent sentence must be imposed to uphold this trust.
Considering the defendant's early guilty plea, she was granted a one-third reduction in her sentence. The judge imposed varying sentences based on the fraudulent amount in each charge, with terms ranging from 12 months to 16 months per charge, and under the totality principle, a total imprisonment of 54 months was imposed.
The defendant, Lasyia, was employed at the Supreme Court's Probate Registry from 1982 until she was suspended in 2018. She pleaded guilty to 21 charges of fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
According to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, between 2010 and 2018, the defendant deceived the public seeking probate and estate management services by falsely claiming they needed to submit additional applications, and that she was authorized to collect the related fees.
Instead of handing over the money to the court cashier, she pocketed it and forged slips with false receipt numbers. Over eight years, the total amount defrauded reached $8,436.
The court emphasized several aggravating factors, including the abuse of a position of trust, the prolonged nature of the offense, and the loss of public confidence in the judicial system.
The judge noted the defendant showed limited remorse, falsely claimed to have partially repaid one victim, and explained her actions were due to financial need and a lack of workplace supervision, an excuse dismissed by the judge.
The judge stated that these crimes occurred within a court environment where public trust in government institutions is crucial. A deterrent sentence must be imposed to uphold this trust.
Considering the defendant's early guilty plea, she was granted a one-third reduction in her sentence. The judge imposed varying sentences based on the fraudulent amount in each charge, with terms ranging from 12 months to 16 months per charge, and under the totality principle, a total imprisonment of 54 months was imposed.