Dubai: A maid has been jailed for three years for stealing Dh558,000 from the flat of a businessman with the help of her boyfriend.
The 37-year-old Sri Lankan maid was hired by the Belgian businessman on an hourly basis when she [defendant] and her compatriot boyfriend stole the cash in December.
When she appeared before the court, the accused pleaded not guilty and contended that it was the runaway suspect [boyfriend] who had stolen the cash from the room.
According to Tuesday’s ruling, presiding judge Mohammad Jamal said the defendant will be deported after serving her punishment.
The businessman’s wife called the police, once the maid arrived at the residence as usual.
When questioned by the police, the 37-year-old said she had nothing to do with the robbery and claimed that her boyfriend had stolen the key from her, made a copy and stolen the cash without her knowledge.
Police are still hunting for the boyfriend, who remains at large.
The Belgian testified that the maid allowed her countryman to enter the residence and steal the money while he was away on vacation with his family.
The maid was quoted as telling prosecutors that she had a copy of the key to the Belgian’s residence.
She was also quoted as saying that the absconder, who was her flatmate, made a copy of that key behind her back, stole the money and ran away.
She told prosecutors that she was told about the theft later when the absconder’s friend advised her not to go to the businessman’s flat.
The primary ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.