British student jailed for life after making 'very stupid mistake' in Dubai

A British student has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai after what her family calls “a very stupid mistake,” sparking shock and disbelief in the U.K.

Mia O’Brien, 23, from Huyton, Liverpool, is currently held in Dubai’s central prison, her mother revealed in a now-deleted fundraising post meant to cover legal fees and travel costs.

Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai, and she is now in central prison, Danielle McKenna, 46, wrote. “As you can all probably imagine, as her mother, I am absolutely devastated. I haven’t seen my daughter since last October.”

Describing her daughter as a law student with a spotless record, McKenna added:

”Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life. This is a young girl, who went to university to do law, and unfortunately got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and made a very stupid mistake and is now paying the price.”

Her heartfelt post asked for help, saying: “So all I ask is if you can donate anything you can spare, even if it’s a £1, it could help up massively and I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much.” She later updated the appeal: “This money will be used to send to my daughter Mia, and also for any legal fees that may arise, and maybe even to go towards getting family over to Dubai to see her, as none of us have seen Mia since last October, so thank you all so much ❤️.”

Danielle also spoke to the Daily Mail about her daughter’s imprisonment, saying: “She’s going through it at the minute. She’s just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence. It’s been a massive shock.”

The exact crime Mia O’Brien was convicted of has not been confirmed, though life sentences in Dubai — typically around 15 years — are generally given for serious offenses such as drug trafficking, violent crimes, or terrorism. UK outlets suggest the case may involve a substance-related violation.

The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns travelers:

“There is zero tolerance for drug-related offences. The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using, and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty. Possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs, including cannabis, can lead to a minimum three-month prison term or a fine of between 20,000 UAE dirham ($5,445) and 100,000 UAE dirham ($27,000+).

The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the bloodstream as possession. Some ‘herbal highs’ and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in the UAE. Possessing, concealing, or making transactions with money from drug-related offences is illegal.

You could get a prison sentence and a fine. UAE airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. You can be arrested for carrying drugs, even residual amounts.”

O’Brien’s GoFundMe page, which had raised nearly £700 toward a £1,600 goal, was removed after the platform said it violated its rules forbidding fundraising for legal defense related to certain crimes.

A spokesperson for the FCDO told the Daily Mail that they are assisting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE, saying, ”We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”