Dubai: Two maids, who worked for a shaikha, have been cleared of stealing gold, jewellery and three iPhones from the palace.
An Egyptian supervisor at the Bur Dubai palace claimed that she had spotted one of the maids running into her bedroom and hiding something in the false ceiling while inspecting the maids’ bedrooms in March.
Citing lack of corroborated evidence, the Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the Sri Lankan maids, J.M. and S.R..
Presiding judge Mohammad Jamal acquitted the maids although they did not show up in court earlier to enter their pleas.
Prosecutors accused the maids and their countrywoman, who remains at large, of abusing the fact that they worked at the palace and stealing the valuables and three phones.
The supervisor alleged that she discovered the theft coincidentally while she was inspecting the maids’ bedrooms.
“Once J.M. saw me, she hid something in her clothes and ran into her bedroom … I followed her immediately. When I reached the door, I saw her hiding something in the false ceiling. When I checked that place, I discovered a gold set and other jewellery hidden there. I also found three iPhones. When I confronted her, she admitted that she and the runaway maid [named S.] had stolen those items,” the supervisor testified to prosecutors.
S.R. was quoted as admitting to prosecutors that they had stolen the items in cooperation with the absconder.
A police corporal claimed before prosecutors that they apprehended the two women.
“During questioning, S.R. alleged that the runaway maid was the one who stole the items and kept them in their possession.”
Tuesday’s ruling was handed against the Sri Lankans in absentia.
