Brit private coach detained in Dubai after £8k present in UK automotive two years in the past
Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, Merseyside, was convicted in 2023 for possession of criminal property after police found £8,000 in her glove box during a 2021 traffic stop
Antonia Bettridge, of St Helens, has been detained in Dubai
A fitness instructor who was previously caught with thousands of pounds in her vehicle by police has been detained in Dubai.. Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in 2023 where she was found guilty of possessing criminal property after officers discovered £8,000 in her glove compartment.
The then-21 year old was stopped on the M62 at junction nine for Winwick, Warrington, on December 22, 2021. She told officers she had no money with her, but when police searched her handbag, they uncovered £610 and subsequently the additional cash in her vehicle.
It was later determined that she had travelled to Gordano Services on the M5 near Bristol, roughly a three-hour journey and approximately 170 miles from her residence on Greenfield Road in Dentons Green, before heading back north.
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The fitness instructor, who is now in her mid-20s, left court without custody after pleading guilty to possessing criminal property.
She received a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days and 75 hours of unpaid work, plus was ordered to pay £1,200 in court costs, reports the Liverpool Echo.
After her court appearance, she relocated to Dubai, with her social media indicating she continues working as a fitness instructor in the Middle East.
She also describes herself as an events planner in the United Arab Emirates. The ECHO has discovered that the convicted criminal from St Helens is currently detained in Dubai, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), often known as the Foreign Office, confirming they are assisting a British woman who has been held in the country.
A spokesperson also confirmed they are liaising with local authorities following her detention.
An FCDO representative stated: “We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”
According to her social media posts, Bettridge has lived in the country since shortly after her conviction.
To secure a work visa in Dubai with a criminal record, individuals must present a certificate of good conduct from their home country, as per the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development CIPD.
Securing a visa can be challenging, with the difficulty level depending on the severity of the crime.
Serious offences, drug-related crimes and dishonesty-related crimes are likely to pose problems when applying for a visa.
