Dubai: A unemployed man proposed in court to his pregnant girlfriend on Wednesday after the couple admitted to having sex in the man’s car.

The 29-year-old Filipina maid, B.O., who is seven months pregnant, nodded her head and agreed to marry her 37-year-old Emirati lover, J.I., when he proposed at the Dubai Misdemeanour Court.

Records said the couple could not marry earlier. However, when they appeared in court, J.I. requested permission from presiding judge Jamal Al Jubaily to propose to B.O.

“I want to marry her. She is carrying my son… I want to propose and give her some money for her personal expenditure,” the Emirati was heard telling the court.

The man gave the woman Dh200.

Presiding judge Al Jubaily asked the court translator to ask B.O. whether she agreed to marry J.I. and the Filipina agreed.

The couple were accused of having consensual sex. B.O. was solely charged with working for another sponsor without permission.

Morning raid

The couple was arrested by chance on October 30 during an early morning raid on the man’s home after police received a report that he was involved in a kidnap and theft case. Police raided the Emirati’s flat at around 2.30am and discovered that the Filipina had been staying with him. The couple admitted they were living as man and wife. The man admitted impregnating the maid.

“I met J.I. earlier this year and we became friends. Then our relationship developed into a sexual affair and we became lovers. We had sex a number of times in his car at Jumeirah beach. I worked for an Emirati family around two years before my countrywoman helped me abscond. Then I worked for some people in Jumeirah for Dh1,500 until I met the man,” said the Filipina.

Meanwhile the Emirati asked the police to treat B.O. as his wife because she was carrying his child.

“I met her at Jumeirah beach and intend to marry her. I do not recall how many times we slept together but I want her to become my wife since she is carrying my son. I slept with her at a rented flat and sometimes at my brother’s flat,” J.I. told police.

Presiding judge Al Jubaily will hand out a ruling on December 29.

The couple could get a suspended or reduced punishment if they get married ahead of the judgement.

However, the Filipina will still be deported if she is convicted and even if she marries the Emirati. Deportation is obligatory in sex-related crimes according to the UAE Penal Code.