Housemaid denies theft charges

Dubai: A housemaid has denied stealing cooking utensils and bed linen from her employer's house, a court here heard on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Sri Lankan housemaid, who is facing charges of theft, pleaded not guilty when she appeared before presiding judge Fahmi Mounir at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

Her 33-year-old Emirati employer, J.K., reported to the police that the maid had stolen some kitchen utensils and cash on the last day she reported for work.

"The housemaid worked for us for a period of time. On the day she wanted to leave, I discovered that she had stolen cooking pans and bed sheets worth Dh5,000. She also pinched Dh2,000 [in cash]," the employer testified in his statement before the Public Prosecution.

The suspect, S.L., dismissed her employer's account as baseless.

Presiding judge Mounir adjourned the case until September 17 for a verdict.