Bail refused for foreigners on Dubai drug charges

Five foreigners being tried on drug charges in Dubai have had their bail request refused.

The court said those facing trial for serious crimes may not be released on bail under any circumstances.

The accused include British citizen Daniel Mallouf, 29, and Anne Kidd, 32, whose nationality is not clear.

Both were convicted earlier this year in a separate court case in the neighbouring emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah on similar drug charges.

Kidd and another British citizen convicted in that case, Anne Hamilton, had their life sentences reduced on appeal to 10 years. Mallouf's sentence was reduced from 10 to four years.

Hamilton, Kidd and Mallouf are being tried in Dubai for different offences than those they faced in Ras Al-Khaimah court.

If convicted in the Dubai cases, the three will serve their Ras Al-Khaimah sentences first, then their Dubai sentences, and then be deported, a court official said.

Others appearing in court included British citizen Stacey Simpson, 29, who is charged with drug trafficking, possession and use.

Mallouf, an economic analyst, is charged with drug possession and use, while Emirates airlines flight attendant Catherine Jenkins, 30, is charged with trafficking and possession.

Australian Heidi De Boer, 25, who worked for a Dubai company, is charged with trafficking, possession and use.

They all pleaded innocent at a December 30 hearing.