Maid accused of stealing cash and jewellery

Dubai - She allegedly absconded after stealing Dh40,000, jewellery and her passport.

A 42-year-old Sri Lankan housemaid, who allegedly ran away after stealing Dh40,000 and some jewellery from her sponsor, has been charged with theft from workplace at the Court of First Instance.
Apart from the cash and the jewellery (including 3 golden rings and a necklace), the accused who had been working for eight years with the Emirati family is also believed to have taken her passport.
The incident allegedly happened on May 7, 2009. It is not known when the maid was arrested. But she is currently in detention.
The maid's 56-year-old Emirati sponsor said that she was out of the UAE for treatment when she received a phone call from her son. "He told me that the maid stayed overnight at her husband's as usual but had been absconding ever since."
The housewife then told her son to check a drawer in her bedroom where she had kept Dh40,000, some jewellery and the passport. "He told me that the money and the valuables were not there and that the maid's passport was also taken.
"I called her aunt in Sri Lanka and I learnt from her that her niece came back to her hometown carrying lots of jewellery with her.
When she was back from her trip, the housewife gave a statement at Al Rashidiyah police station. "The maid stole my belongings at a time when nobody was home. My children were then at their grandfather's".
The sponsor's son, a 30-year-old civil defence officer, said that he tried to call the maid but her phone was switched off and so was her husband's. "She spent one night in the weekend with her husband as she would always do but did not come back".
He told his mother about the maid and he then filed a complaint at Al Rashidiyah police station. A verdict is expected on June 7.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai