Singapore jails tourist over diamond theft attempt

A Singapore court sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in jail over a failed attempt to steal a diamond from a jewellery store by hiding it in an accomplice's mouth.

Court documents said Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and an accomplice visited a jewellery store in Singapore's Chinatown on June 19. They were focused on a 4.95-carat diamond worth $154,000.

According to local media, Mangroliya distracted the shop manager while his alleged accomplice, 30-year-old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, swapped the diamond with a fake stone hidden in his mouth. The two men then left without buying anything.

The incident was recorded by surveillance cameras. The pair were arrested at the airport later the same day, and the stolen gem was recovered from one of their bags.

Court papers said Mangroliya was sentenced to two years, two months and two weeks in jail after pleading guilty last week. Serasiya is in remand and is scheduled for a hearing on Friday.

The pair reportedly arranged for a counterfeit diamond matching the real stone's specifications and serial number to be made in India before travelling to Singapore. It is unclear how they obtained the diamond's details in advance.