She had previously been in court when police found her with thousands of pounds on the M62
She had previously been in court when police found her with thousands of pounds on the M62
A personal trainer who was previously found with thousands of pounds in her car by police has been detained in Dubai, the ECHO understands. Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court in 2023 where she was convicted for being in possession of criminal property after police officers discovered £8,000 in her glove box.
The then-21-year-old was pulled off the M62 at junction nine for Winwick, Warrington, on December 22, 2021. She explained to the officers how she had no money on her but when PCs checked her handbag, they found £610 and then the subsequent cash in her car.
It was later established that she had driven to Gordano Services on the M5 near to Bristol, roughly a three-hour drive and approximately 170 miles from her home on Greenfield Road in Dentons Green, before returning back north.
The personal trainer, who is now in her mid-20s, walked free from court after admitting possessing criminal property.
She was handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days and 75 hours of unpaid work, as well as being told to pay £1,200 in court costs.
Following her appearance in court, she has gone on to live in Dubai, with her social media stating that she remains a personal trainer in the Middle East.
She also says she is an events planner in the United Arab Emirates.
The ECHO has now learned that the convicted criminal from St Helens has been detained while in Dubai, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), commonly referred to as the Foreign Office, confirming officials are supporting a British woman who has been detained in the country.
A spokesperson also said they are in contact with local authorities following the detention.
An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”
According to posts on her social media, Bettridge has resided in the country from shortly after her conviction.
In order to obtain a work visa in Dubai with a criminal record, people must produce a certificate of good conduct from their home country, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development CIPD.
It can be difficult to obtain a visa in the country, although it depends on the severity of the crime.
Serious crimes, ones involving drugs and crimes involving dishonesty are likely to prove an issue when obtaining a visa.
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