DUBAI // Two maids confessed today to stealing cash and valuables worth nearly half a million dirhams from their employer.
S?A, 25 and H?F, 26, both from Ethiopia, stole Dh254,000 in cash and 165 pieces of jewellery from their Emirati sponsor M?D, 53.
Prosecutors told the Criminal Court the theft occurred on January 15 this year shortly after the employer, a teacher, had moved to a new house.
She left the money and jewellery in bags while she attended her grandmother's funeral.
"When the funeral finished and I went to check on the bags, I couldn't find them inside the wardrobe where I had hidden them," said the employer.
Police searched the house but could not find the bags. However, they noticed that the two maids' pillows were suspiciously heavy.
They tore open the pillows and found the money and jewellery inside.
Both maids confessed to the robbery. A verdict is expected on March 21.
salamir@thenational.ae
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1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
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December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
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May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
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180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
