A FORMER freelance watch dealer who misappropriated about $100,000 worth of Rolex watches was jailed for 22 months.

Fong Yew Khee, 53, admitted to two counts of being entrusted with six watches at Perfect Antiques Jewellery Gallery on Jan 22 and five watches on Jan 26 when he committed criminal breach of trust of the items amounting to $64,000.

The court heard that he offered to help the Temple Street shop owner, Mr Yap Kian Siang, deliver six watches to a Malaysian client, their mutual friend, on Jan 22. Instead, he pledged the watches at two pawnshops for $26,300 cash.

Four days later, he lied to Mr Yap that he had potential owners and was given five watches which were again pawned.

On March 30 he surrendered himself to the police, confessing he had gambled away the money.

Three other charges involving seven watches were taken into consideration.

Police recovered 13 watches worth $72,800.