Woman who pretended to need help stole from good Samaritan, hears court

SS, an Emirati, is accused of stealing the victim's purse containing cash and a credit card.

ABU DHABI // A woman who entered a bridal shop claiming she was unwell and about to faint allegedly stole a purse belonging to a saleswoman who came to her aid, the criminal court heard.

SS, an Emirati, is accused of stealing the purse containing cash and a credit card. She was arrested while trying to buy items from a mobile phone shop using a stolen credit card.

The victim told the court she was working at the bridal shop when SS walked in looking “messy”.

“She looked very tired and about to faint and started asking for sugar or chocolate,” said the saleswoman, who fetched some chocolate for SS and stayed with her until she recovered.

“She started chatting and asked me how much we sell the dresses for and so on,” said the victim.

After SS left the store, the saleswoman went on her lunch break and noticed her purse was missing.

The court asked her what was inside the purse. She said it contained her credit card, Dh160 in cash and other items.

SS’s defence attorney presented a report from a hospital that showed SS has been undergoing psychiatric treatment since 2013. SS presented her defence in writing only. She denied the charges and requested bail.

The court heard that police had received complaints from four different victims about SS. However, her lawyer said all four withdrew their accusations during investigations.

The verdict will be announced on January 7.