Bali, Eyewitness | Gemma Doyle, 26, says she stole the US$21 swimsuit ‘for fun’, but has now paid more than US$1,100 to avoid a stint in Indonesian prison
Australian OnlyFans model Gemma Doyle has faced a torrent of online abuse and death threats after being caught stealing a bikini from a boutique “for fun” while holidaying in Bali.
Doyle, 26, apologised and admitted to shoplifting the garment from a boutique on the Indonesian resort island after CCTV footage of the incident circulated on social media.
“I am aware of the stories going around and it’s true, I was on one and I was being a bit silly and I stole a swimsuit,” she said in a video posted online.
The adult content creator added that she had “never stolen before in my life”, the bikini cost about A$30 (US$21) and that she “did it just for the fun of it”.
Doyle also accused the shop owner of calling her “fat” in the post, which triggered a wave of abusive messages and calls to deport her.
“That’s absolutely disgusting, so blatantly rude and ignorant. Why are they not arrested for theft yet?” one social media user wrote.
Under Indonesian law, petty theft carries a maximum penalty of up to three months’ imprisonment.
Another commenter said Doyle “doesn’t really look apologetic and she looks like she’s belittling this country”, prompting her to strike a more contrite tone in a follow-up video.
“I actually wanted to apologise for taking what I took,” she said, according to perthnow.com.au
“I am very, very sorry. I am very, very sorry to the owners of the store … to everyone involved I am very sorry.”
Earlier, Doyle said she had been “under the influence” and made “a silly mistake”, before later attributing her behaviour to an underlying medical condition.
After originally claiming that it was something she did “for the fun of it”, and then a mistake “under the influence” – Doyle then contradicted her past excuses and said the theft was a result of her medical condition.
“I don’t wanna get too much into it, but I do have a brain injury because I was hit a lot of times in the head,” she said online.
“And also because of my endometriosis where I was fainting and I would hit my head and it turns out I have a traumatic brain injury.
While she said she accepted the backlash, Doyle condemned the death threats she received, adding that she had returned the bikini to the shop “to make it right”.
“I made a mistake. Bully me, sure, but death threats over a pair of swimmers? Come on,” Doyle said.
Some of the threats included messages reading “I know where you live, remember that”, and “better sleep with one eye open”.
Police in South Kuta said both parties to the dispute had “agreed to discontinue the case and drafted a peace agreement” after Doyle paid about 19 million rupiah (US$1,120) in compensation to the shop.
Doyle said the outrage had forced her to “reflect” and vowed to “never do it again”.
“I’ve learned more now by speaking with some people here and I’ve made a few friendships regardless of the situation,” she told news.com.au.
