Dubai: Two women cleaners at an airlines company, who stole silver spoons, playing cards and an expensive wristwatch worth Dh63,000 from Dubai International Airport, were handed different jail terms.

The Nepalese cleaners, 35-year-old D.M. and 33-year-old K.R., stole cash, a wristwatch, silver spoons, playing cards and complimentary bags that are given to first and business class passengers in October.

The Dubai Court of First Instance jailed K.R. for six months for abusing her job at the airlines and stealing four sets of playing cards, 50 silver spoons, giveaway bags and cash left behind by passengers. She was also convicted of possessing the watch that D.M. stole.

Presiding judge Mohammad Jamal also jailed D.M. three months for stealing the valuable wristwatch, which was left behind by its owner in the washroom. “The two accused will each pay a fine of Dh63,000. K.R. will also pay Dh860 [value of the stolen items]. The duo will be deported following the completion of their punishment,” said presiding judge Jamal in courtroom three.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

D.M. told the court that she intended to give back the watch to the administration, but she got so busy and forgot to do so.

An Emirati woman [who works at the airport] said she forgot her wristwatch inside one of the washrooms when she went to wash up.

“After 15 minutes I did not find the watch when I went back to retrieve it. I searched the washroom but I could not find the watch. I reported the matter to the police,” claimed the woman.

When questioned by prosecutors, D.M. admitted: “I was in charge of cleaning washrooms. The Emirati woman told me that she had forgotten her watch. I told her that I had not seen it. When she left, I found the watch on the floor, I picked it up and kept it with me. Then I hid it inside my underwear and left work. When I reached home, I asked K.R. to keep the watch with her.”

K.R. confessed to prosecutors that she had stolen different banknotes of several currencies and the other items.

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