Maid fled sponsor to turn to prostitution and theft, Dubai court hears

Indonesian woman worked for Emirati teacher for four years before opting for prostitution but she denies returning to her sponsor's home to steal from the sponsor and fellow maid.

DUBAI // A 46-year-old housemaid absconded from her sponsor after four years of service to work as a prostitute, Dubai Criminal Court heard on Wednesday.

Indonesian ND was said to have absconded from her Emirati employer’s home in August last year and worked as a prostitute. Nearly a month later, on September 22, she called the sponsor and begged her to take her back.

“I forgave her and told her, it’s OK, she can come back, which she did. Then I agreed with her that I will return home early from work the next day to take her to the naturalisation and residency department to cancel her absconding report,” said her teacher sponsor, MA, 43.

However, when the teacher returned home from work the next day she was told by her other maid that the Indonesian woman had returned, robbed the home and then fled again.

She stole 10 different brands of watches, as well as Dh1,000 in cash from her fellow maid, Ethiopian SA.

“We shared the same room for four years and she knew where I kept my money – she stole it and ran away,” said the Ethiopian.

The maid was arrested shortly afterwards and referred to court on charges of theft and prostitution. She confessed to working as a prostitute when she appeared in court but she denied the theft charge.

A verdict is expected on March 11.