Sponsor ‘oblivious to Dh200,000 maid theft’ until police call him

An Indian man's Filipina maid is accused of stealing diamonds, gold and watches from the businessman's Jumeirah home.

DUBAI // A housemaid stole Dh200,000 worth of valuables from her sponsor, who knew nothing of it until police called him, Dubai Criminal Court heard on Sunday.

The Filipina defendant, 40, is charged with stealing a diamond set, two gold bracelets, four silver chains and eight expensive watches. She denied stealing the watches but admitted taking the jewellery.

Her countryman, 39, denied possessing the stolen items. “I didn’t know they were stolen,” said the salesman.

An American has been charged with aiding and abetting. He was not present in court to face the charge and his role in the incident was not clear.

Prosecutors said she stole the items over a period but was only arrested when one of the two accused tipped off police about her after he was caught on December 2 last year trying to sell some of the stolen items.

The Indian sponsor, 30, said the maid had been working for him for more than 18 months and he was not aware she was stealing from him until police called.

“I was outside the country when they called and said she was stealing from my Jumeirah home and giving the items to a man to sell them,” said the businessman.

Prosecutors said the three defendants confessed to charges during questioning.

The next hearing is scheduled for February 22 to summon the third defendant.