A 25-year-old British woman from St Helens, Merseyside, is facing life imprisonment in Dubai after being arrested on suspicion of drug offences. Antonia Bettridge moved to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023, initially working as a sports coach before moving into property and training as a personal trainer.
According to the campaign group Detained in Dubai (DID), Bettridge was arrested at the start of March under the UAE's narcotics legislation. She is suspected of possession of narcotics with intent to promote, a charge that can carry a fine of up to AED 200,000 and life imprisonment. Dubai authorities do not require proof of intent to promote or distribute, DID said.
Bettridge's mother, who has not been named, said her daughter does not live a party lifestyle and moved to Dubai to build something positive. She described the family as 'worried sick' and urged for clarity about what has happened. Radha Stirling, CEO of DID, noted that regional instability has heightened concern for families with loved ones detained in the UAE.
Bettridge previously appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in September 2023, where she was found guilty of possessing criminal property after police found £8,000 in her car. She was given a 12-month community order with rehabilitation activities and unpaid work, and ordered to pay £1,200 in court costs.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed it is supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and is in contact with local authorities. The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE due to regional tensions.
