Maid drank pesticide in suicide attempt, Dubai court hears

DUBAI // A maid drank pesticide in an attempt to end her life after being told she could not return home to care for her sick child, Dubai Court of Misdemeanours heard on Monday.

Indian Z T, 35, told prosecutors she had begun working for an Emirati family in March, but in July she was informed by her family that her child was ill.

Her sponsor, however, turned down her request to return home to care for the child, the court heard.

“They refused and told me that I had to pay them Dh3,000 in order to be allowed to leave,” the maid said.

Z T said she became so desperate that on the morning of July 15, she drank pesticide with the intention of killing herself.

“Later that day I was sick and unable to move,” said Z T, who was taken to hospital for treatment before being referred to public prosecution on charges of attempted suicide.

Z T confessed to the charge in court last month. “I just wanted this to be over so I can go home to my child,” said the maid, who was give a one-month suspended jail sentence.

It was not clear if ZT was given permission to leave the UAE.