Dubai: A British woman has been sentenced to four years in jail for consuming hashish although she alleged that she took it for medical purposes.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the 25-year-old British woman of possessing and consuming hashish despite having entered a not guilty plea.

Her father and lawyer had contended before the court that the woman took the substance for medical purposes as she suffers from bipolar disorder.

Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat said the defendant will be deported following the completion of her punishment.

The Briton’s father had pleaded with the court to refer his daughter to a psychological expert for treatment.

The defendant was charged with possessing and consuming hashish when she entered a not guilty plea in court.

“I did not possess or consume drugs,” argued the woman.

“My daughter has been suffering of bipolar disorder for 10 years now. A medical committee examined her for a short period of time that was not enough to decide if she was legally responsible for possessing and using drugs. She is sick and I ask the court to refer her to a psychological expert for check up and treatment,” her father told the court in a previous hearing.

Meanwhile her lawyer argued that his client used hashish for medical purposes.

“She suffers a serious illness [bipolar disorder] and she’s been prescribed that drug as a replacement medicine. A medical committee examined her and we are ready to provide the court with the required scientific reports to confirm that she used hashish as a herbal treatment for her illness,” defended the lawyer.

An anti-narcotics police lieutenant testified to prosecutors that the Briton was arrested at her residence in Palm Jumeirah following an informant’s tip off on February 23.

“My daughter has suffered emotional pressures since her childhood. She also suffered complicated emotional issues for long periods. Doctors prescribed herbs as a medication to replace the chemical medicines,” said the father.

Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.