DUBAI // A maid who stole US$25,000 in cash and Dh8,000 worth of jewellery from her sponsor was yesterday sentenced to three months in prison.
YM, 22, from Ethiopia, admitted stealing but denied taking the amounts alleged, claiming she took only the value of her unpaid wages.
A second maid, NA, 32, who was accused of helping her in the theft, was cleared by the Criminal Court.
Their sponsor, MN, 41, from Tajikistan, found her money and jewellery was missing shortly after going to her niece’s room to wake her for Al Fajr prayers.
When she checked the maid’s bed she found she had absconded. The bed contained only pillows covered by a blanket to make it look as if someone was sleeping there.
The maid had worked for her for two months.
Police arrested the maid within days. Under interrogation she claimed the other maid – NA – had put her up to the theft.
YM will be deported after completing her jail term.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Timeline
2012-2015
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
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
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
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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