SINGAPORE - A former childcare centre vice-principal, who misappropriated $9,664 ,was fined $10,000 on Friday (Feb 5).

Nuruljannah Ahmad, 28, pleaded guilty to criminal breach of trust of the amount received from customers of Kinderland Childcare Centre at Republic Polytechnic, South Woodlands Drive, between January and May 2014.

A court heard that the practice of the childcare centre was for fees paid by customers for enrolment, school fees and field trips to be banked in on the day of collection.

But if the cash was received after banking hours, Nuruljannah's responsibilities as vice-principal included safekeeping it to deposit it in the company's bank account the following business day.

Investigations showed that between January and May 2014, she was entrusted with cash amounting to $9,664 over multiple occasions. She pocketed the money and used it for her personal expenses.

The cluster principal of the Kinderland Educare Services lodged a police report on June 20. She had conducted checks earlier on the company's accounts in relation to Kinderland Childcare Centre and found the sum unaccounted for.

Nuruljannah has made full restitution.

She paid $1,500 on Friday, and will pay the balance in nine monthly instalments.

The maximum punishment for the offence is seven years' jail and a fine.