The Al Ain Criminal Court has sentenced an Ethiopian maid and her boyfriend to three months in prison, followed by deportation, after finding them guilty of orchestrating a series of thefts from her employer’s villa.

Court documents revealed that the 25-year-old maid, identified as M.T.A., colluded with her boyfriend, A.S.A., 30, to steal valuables including cash and jewellery from the residence. The crimes unfolded on several occasions, with the boyfriend attempting to enter the villa at least four times.

The case dates back to May 25, 2025, when the employer filed a complaint at the Falaj Hazza Police Station. Suspicious activity inside the villa was first flagged by a part-time maid, prompting the employer to review surveillance cameras installed in the property.

According to the footage, the Ethiopian man was seen trying to access the villa multiple times. Further investigations by police uncovered additional evidence, including security camera recordings from the street outside the property. A neighbour also provided a critical lead after discovering a jewellery box discarded in his backyard, allegedly dropped by the suspect while fleeing.

Police soon apprehended the maid, who admitted to her role in the thefts during interrogation. She confessed that she had known the man before starting work with the employer. According to her statement, her boyfriend pressured her into stealing in order to collect enough money for them to return to Ethiopia and marry.

Investigators reported that the maid admitted to previously stealing smaller items such as gold chains, rings, and earrings belonging to the employer’s young daughters. To avoid suspicion, she would convince her employer that the missing pieces of jewellery were simply misplaced.

With the assistance of an informant, authorities tracked down her boyfriend. Initially, he denied any involvement in the thefts. However, when confronted with the surveillance footage and the maid’s detailed testimony, he eventually confessed to the crimes.

The prosecution argued that the pair had engaged in deliberate and repeated criminal activity that undermined the trust of the household and put the safety of the community at risk. The court found both defendants guilty of conspiracy and theft, sentencing them to three months in prison each.

In addition to the jail term, the court ordered that both defendants be deported after serving their sentences. Legal experts noted that the ruling reflects the UAE’s zero-tolerance approach to theft and breach of trust in employer-employee relationships.

The case has also highlighted the importance of home surveillance systems and community vigilance in exposing criminal activities. Neighbourhood cooperation and timely reporting by the part-time maid were key in bringing the culprits to justice.

The ruling sends a strong message about the legal consequences of betrayal of trust in domestic employment settings, underscoring the UAE courts’ commitment to upholding law and order.