An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a nanny to pay Dh10,000 in damages after she was found guilty of physically assaulting a three-year-old boy in her care. The incident, which left the young child with visible scratches on his chest and jaw, resulted in a criminal conviction that included a suspended one-month jail sentence and a Dh3,000 fine. Following the criminal verdict, the boy's mother initiated a civil lawsuit to seek further compensation for the emotional and financial trauma inflicted upon her family.

During the civil proceedings, the nanny attempted to argue that she was only employed as a driver and suggested the assault claims were fabricated due to a dispute over unpaid wages. However, the court flatly rejected this defense, noting that the criminal conviction had already established the facts of the abuse and could not be revisited. Ultimately, the judge ruled in favor of the mother, citing the physical harm to the child and the significant breach of trust. In addition to the Dh10,000 in damages, the nanny was held responsible for legal fees and will face a four percent annual interest rate on the compensation until the full amount is settled.