British teacher faces a year in Dubai jail for calling judge ‘rude’

A British teacher is facing a year in a Dubai prison for calling a judge “rude”, according to reports.

The National reports that the 49-year-old woman was visiting the Personal Status Court in Al Garhoud on September 5 for details on how to get married in the emirate.

After being told she did not have the right documents by a court translator the woman asked to speak to the presiding judge Jamal Hamad Al Shehi.

He told her she needed all the necessary papers to continue the process at which point she said her treatment had been rude.

The defendant said her remarks had been directed to the court translator rather than the judge but she was reported to police.

“I spoke with the receptionist and told her that I have all the documents needed except for one but she insisted that I get it, then I asked to meet with the judge and explain to him,” she was quoted as saying.

“I said rude, but I did not mean him.”

A court employee testified that the remarks were directed at the judge himself.

The woman told police she did not mean to offend the judge but admitted issuing insults during the incident.

She faces a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a Dhs10,000 ($2,722) fine.

The woman’s passport was taken following the incident and her sponsorship has been cancelled,

She reportedly asked for leniency and apologised for her actions during the court hearing.

A verdict is planned for October 10.