Mia O’Brien’s mum said the 23-year-old got “mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and is now paying the price”
15:57, 05 Sep 2025Updated 15:58, 05 Sep 2025
Mia O’Brien, from Huyton, is reportedly detained in Dubai
A 23-year-old woman from Huyton has been “jailed for life” in Dubai, her devastated mother claims. Law student Mia O’Brien was detained in Dubai’s central prison after making what her mum described as a “very stupid mistake”.
In an online fundraiser – which is believed to have been deleted – mum Dannielle McKenna, 46, said: “Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai and she is now in central prison. As you can all probably imagine, as her mother I am absolutely devastated. I haven’t seen my daughter since last October.
“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.
“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.”
Mia O’Brien and her mum Dannielle
In a follow-up post, she thanked people who had donated, the Mirror reports. She said: “I just want to thank everyone for their donations so far, 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.”
Speaking to the MailOnline, Dannielle added: “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.”
Mia O’Brien, from Huyton, is reportedly detained in Dubai
While the details of Mia’s crime have not been shared, the Emirate countries can hand out life sentences – which is 15 years in jail – for crimes like drug trafficking, serious violence and terrorism.
According to the UK foreign office, British visitors are explicitly warned not to flout the country’s laws, singling out drug offences in particular.
On its travel advice for Dubai, the FCDO says: “There is zero tolerance for drugs-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 3-month prison term or a fine of between 20,000 UAE dirham (£4,000) and 100,000 UAE dirham (£20,000).
“The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
“Some ‘herbal highs’ and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in the UAE.
“Possessing, concealing or making transactions with money from drugs-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.”