Dubai: A woman, who repeatedly punched her maid, whipped her with bamboo sticks and electric wires and caused her severe injuries that led to her death, has been jailed for 10 years.

The 35-year-old Emirati woman, S.U., tortured her maid from Comoros Islands.

The maid sustained injuries and burns that developed into blood clots and pulmonary oedema [fluid collection in the lungs] before she died in December, records showed.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the Emirati woman of beating her maid to death although she had pleaded not guilty.

When she appeared in court, she said she did not cause the victim’s death.

“I beat her a long time ago before the incident … how could that have happened! I am not guilty,” S.U. told the court.

The defendant used bamboo sticks and an electric wire, according to records, when she beat her maid on different occasions and she repeatedly punched the maid.

According to Wednesday’s judgement, S.U. was held liable for the maid’s death because she had failed to provide the victim [after the beating] with proper medical care and treatment that could have saved her life.

Dubai Police’s forensic examination report said the deceased was tortured and beaten for weeks and months preceding her death.

The victim’s 19-year-old countrywoman [also a maid] testified that she was sent to work at S.U.’s residence since the victim had been working for her as well.

“The agency for whom I worked sent me to work for the defendant because the victim and I are related. In September, I saw the defendant beating the victim. She constantly beat her,” said the 19-year-old.

“A few days later, S.U. sent me to work at her sister’s house. I worked at the sister’s place where I was beaten and mistreated. I asked her to send me back to the victim’s house because of her bad treatment. Then I stayed at the defendant’s place for five days, during which she beat the victim using different means. I was sent back to the defendant’s sister where I stayed for a month and a half. During that period, the victim constantly complained to me over the phone about how badly and brutally the accused had been treating her. Then the victim suddenly stopped communicating with me since S.U. discovered that we had been talking over the phone. Later, I was told that she had died. The victim was forced to tolerate the defendant’s bad treatment because she needed the money,” she added.

An Egyptian neighbour said he constantly heard the defendant scolding and shouting at the victim, who constantly cried in pain.

The watchman of the building [where the Emirati woman lived] said the neighbours constantly complained about loud cries for help coming out from the defendant’s residence.

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