DUBAI // A maid accused of stealing Dh40,000 in cash as well as jewellery from her sponsor has been found not guilty by the Dubai Criminal Court.
The 42-year-old Sri Lankan denied a charge of theft when she appeared in court last April.
Prosecutors told the court that the incident happened on May 7, 2009, and the maid left the country the same day.
Her 56-year-old Emirati sponsor was abroad when her son called and told her the maid had not returned from her break.
“She used to take Thursday as a break from work every week in order to meet her husband and would return on Friday,” said the woman, adding that the maid’s mobile phone was turned off and when her son checked their home he discovered cash and jewellery missing.
“She worked for me for eight years,” said the sponsor, adding that the maid was the only one who knew where the key to the jewellery drawer was kept.
She later called the maid’s aunt in Sri Lanka who told her that the woman was back home and wearing lots of jewellery.
It was not mentioned in records how the maid was arrested after seven years. The reasons for her acquittal were also not made available.
salamir@thenational.ae