Dubai: A Somali woman has been accused of having consensual sex with a man, who she claims to be her lawful husband, and delivering an illegitimate baby boy.

Records said the 25-year-old unemployed woman, S.H., went into labour shortly after she turned herself in to the immigration authorities wanting to be deported.

Police detained the woman immediately after she admitted that she had turned herself in because she had infiltrated the country [in 2008] through Oman along with her daughter and the man she claims to be her husband.

When the defendant failed to present her marriage papers, prosecutors accused S.H. of having consensual sex with a man who remains at large. She was additionally charged with infiltrating the country and staying without proper travel documents [passport and residency].

Failed

Jail wardens failed to bring S.H. from her detention centre and produce her before the Dubai Misdemeanour Court in time where she was scheduled to be prosecuted yesterday.

The Somali woman was brought late to the court after the hearing was adjourned.

She was spotted wearing her pink prison outfit and carrying her newborn, who was born in September.

"My husband, A.N., daughter and I infiltrated the country through Al Buraimi area. My daughter was two years old then. We stayed illegally with a Somali family in Al Safa area. I learnt about my pregnancy in early 2011.

"Then, due to our destitute situation, my husband turned himself in to the authorities in April because he wanted to be deported. I believe that he was deported then. When I turned myself in to the authorities in September, I didn't inform them that I was pregnant. I thought they would deport me immediately.

"When I went into labour, the police arrested me. I married A.N. in 2006 and he is the lawful father of my son and daughter," the woman claimed to prosecutors.

Marriage papers

However, she failed to present her marriage papers. The authorities refused to deport her to her country and filed a case against her in court. She provided the police with temporary personal documents issued from the Somali consulate in Dubai.

The court has adjourned until December 5.