British woman facing a year in Abu Dhabi jail for having lunch with married man

A British woman could be facing up to a year in an Abu Dhabi jail - for having lunch with a married man and drinking alcohol without a licence.

The as-yet-unnamed teacher told a court on Wednesday that she had been introduced to the Syrian man earlier in the day, and that he had eaten with them, but later left the pair to finish their meal alone.

According to the Daily Mail, police arrived at the house to follow up on a complaint from the man's wife that he had kicked her out of their home.

Police then arrested the woman and her host for being alone together, and for drinking alcohol illegally.

It is thought the man's wife demanded the pair be prosecuted when she discovered he had dined with another woman.

According to The Sun, a United Arab Emirates legal source said: "She is looking at anything between a month in jail or a year for being alone with a man who is not her husband.

"As in so many alcohol cases, it only becomes a problem if someone makes a complaint to the police and they are obliged to act."

British diplomats were trying to free her after her colleague testified he invited her. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the arrest of a British national in Abu Dhabi. We are providing consular assistance."

The Daily Mail added that Syrian man will not be punished for being alone with the British woman, because it is not a crime for men to socialise with women, but that he faces other charges.

Related articles

Demi Moore jets off to Abu Dhabi to celebrate 50th

Motorcycling champ arrested for being drunk in Dubai after new wife dies

British woman kidnapped and gang-raped in Dubai prosecuted for drinking alcohol

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-180956%