Maid denies theft, tells Dubai court money was wages owed her

Ethiopian YM told the Dubai Criminal Court that she had not been paid and only took cash to the value of her wages.

DUBAI // A maid has denied stealing US$25,000 in cash and jewellery worth more than Dh8,000 from her sponsor, saying she only took money to cover her unpaid salary, a Dubai Court heard.

Ethiopian YM, 22, told the Dubai Criminal Court that she had not been paid and only took cash to the value of her wages.

Prosecutors said that on May 2 this year, YM stole cash, jewellery and three official documents from her sponsor aided by a compatriot, NA, 32, a maid at the same house.

Her sponsor, MN, 41, from Tajikistan, testified that she went to the defendant's room and her niece's to wake them up for Al Fajr prayers but was surprised to find pillows covered with a blanket on the defendant's bed.

"I checked for her bag but did not find it. I called the police after I noticed the money and jewellery as well as some official documents missing," said MN, who noted YM had worked for her as a nanny for two months.

Police arrested YM a few days later. During investigations she claimed NA had put her up to the theft.

A verdict is expected on September 23.