Camilla Jessen
A British student has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai.
The family of 23-year-old Mia O’Brien is pleading for support after the young British student received a life sentence in the UAE.
A “Very Stupid Mistake”
Mia O’Brien, a 23-year-old law student from Huyton, Liverpool, has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai, according to her family.
The case made headlines in the U.K., where Mia’s mother, Danielle McKenna, described the ordeal as a “devastating” outcome of a “very stupid mistake.”
“She’s going through it at the minute,” McKenna told The Daily Mail. “She’s just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence. It’s been a massive shock.”
Family Pleads for Help
In a now-deleted fundraising post, McKenna wrote:
“Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai, and she is now in central prison. As her mother, I am absolutely devastated.”
She went on to describe Mia as a law-abiding young woman with no criminal background who “got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends.”
Seeking Financial Support
The family had not seen her since October 2024 and were seeking funds for legal fees, financial support for Mia in prison, and travel costs to visit her.
A follow-up update added: “This money will be used to send to my daughter Mia, and also for any legal fees that may arise… thank you all so much.”
The GoFundMe page had raised nearly £700 of its £1,600 goal before it was taken down for violating the platform’s rules on fundraising related to legal defense in criminal cases.
Unconfirmed Charges
Authorities have not officially disclosed the charges against Mia O’Brien, but reports suggest the case may involve drug-related offenses.
In the UAE, such crimes are among those that can result in a life sentence — which typically equates to around 15 years in prison — or, in the most serious cases, even the death penalty.
Strict and Zero Tolerance
The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) warns travelers:
“There is zero tolerance for drug-related offences… even residual amounts.”
Possession of even trace amounts of illegal substances — including cannabis — can result in a minimum three-month prison sentence or steep fines of up to 100,000 AED (approx. £21,000).
CBD Oil also Banned
UAE law also counts traces of drugs in the bloodstream as legal possession.
Even products considered legal in other countries, such as CBD oil or herbal highs, can lead to criminal charges in the Emirates.
British Government Involved
A spokesperson for the FCDO confirmed to Newsner that British officials are monitoring the situation.
“We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities,” they stated.
No further details have been released by U.K. or Emirati officials regarding the nature of O’Brien’s charges or any appeals process.
