Singapore – A Filipina domestic worker in Singapore who was accused of stealing dozens of items from her employer had her guilty plea set aside after she told the court that the belongings had been discarded before she took them. The case now moves to a pre-trial conference as the court reviews the disputed facts behind the allegation.
According to a Channel News Asia report published on May 5, 2026, the case involves 38-year-old Silva Michelle Catedrilla, a Filipina who had been expected to plead guilty to one count of theft as a servant. The report said the judge withdrew the conviction after her statements in court suggested she may not have intended to steal the items.
Guilty Plea Reversed After Court Statement
Catedrilla appeared in court unrepresented and was initially set to admit to one theft charge. But after court documents were read out, she broke down while speaking and said the clothes had been thrown away by her employer before the family moved homes.
That statement became a key issue in the hearing. District Judge Justin Yeo said her explanation raised doubt over the original account of the case. Because her remarks suggested a possible lack of dishonest intent, the judge set aside her guilty plea and directed the matter to a later pre-trial conference.
Items Listed in the Charges
Court documents cited in the report stated that Catedrilla faces two charges involving her 43-year-old employer and the employer’s daughter. She is accused of taking 46 items between Dec. 1, 2022 and Aug. 26, 2025 from a condominium in the Orchard Road area.
The items allegedly included dresses, leggings, tops, caps, stilettos, baking tools, nail polish, a Christmas ornament and a red Chanel bag. She was also accused of taking fanny packs and other bags belonging to the employer’s daughter.
Worker Says Items Were Being Thrown Away
During the hearing, Catedrilla said she started taking some belongings because her employer had been throwing away many things. She also said some items came from the family’s first condominium before they relocated to another unit.
The judge noted that this account did not match the statement of facts read in court, which suggested the alleged theft happened only at the second residence. That inconsistency became one reason the plea could not stand.
If convicted of theft as a servant, Catedrilla could face up to seven years in jail and a fine. Because the case involves multiple alleged acts, the penalties could be higher. She has been in remand since Apr. 10.