In the bustling aisles of the supermarket, the young mother stood out not with affluence, but with a sense of desperation. Clutching her two toddlers tightly, she furtively slipped powdered milk into her oversized bag, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and guilt. Little did she know that her actions were being closely observed by a vigilant security guard. As she made her way to the exit, she was intercepted and confronted with her theft. The realization that she had been caught sent a wave of shame and regret over her. She explained her plight to the authorities: a single mother struggling to make ends meet, desperate to provide nourishment for her young children. Her tale of financial hardship and the overwhelming pressure of providing for her family elicited a mix of sympathy and sternness. The court, while acknowledging her circumstances, could not condone her actions. Theft, regardless of the reasons, remained a crime that had to be punished. The young mother was fined an amount she could barely afford, a harsh reminder of the consequences of her desperate act. As she left the courtroom, tears streamed down her face. Not only had she been caught and punished, but she had also brought shame and disappointment upon herself and her children. The weight of her burden felt heavier than ever before. And so, the young mother returned home, not only with an empty stomach but also with a broken heart. The powdered milk she had stolen was consumed, but the guilt and shame lingered, a constant reminder of her desperate choice.Singapore Mother Fined for Stealing Milk Powder in Supermarket with Stroller

Singapore Mother Fined for Stealing Milk Powder in Supermarket with Stroller

A 26-year-old Singaporean mother, Lorraine Chan Chu Yi, was fined S$3,500 (US$2,600) for stealing milk powder from two supermarkets.

First Incident

On June 4, 2021, Chan brought her two young children to a Sheng Siong supermarket in Bukit Batok. She hid two cans of Enfamil milk powder, worth S$270.70, in her stroller and left without paying.

Second Incident

Three days later, Chan went to a Giant hypermarket in the IMM building with her husband, Lim Soon Leong, 26. They took storage boxes from the supermarket and filled them with 12 cans of Enfamil milk powder, worth S$1,565.40. They then took the boxes to a self-service checkout kiosk and scanned and paid for other items but not the milk powder. They left the supermarket with the powder hidden in the boxes. Lim later sold the 12 cans on Carousell for S$1,170.

Sentencing

Chan pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, with a third charge taken into consideration. The prosecution requested a non-prison sentence. Chan’s defense attorney, Victoria Tay, argued that Chan’s husband was the mastermind and that Chan agreed to help him. She also stated that Chan had made full restitution and was motivated by financial desperation. The judge imposed a fine on Chan, which she was able to pay in full. Lim was previously sentenced to 11 months in jail for theft of milk powder and other crimes.