A 23-year-old British law student has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai, leaving her family heartbroken and pleading for public support.

Mia O’Brien, from Huyton, Liverpool, is currently being held in Dubai Central Prison after being convicted of an undisclosed offence. Her mother, Danielle McKenna, 46, described the situation as a “massive shock” and has launched an online fundraiser to help cover mounting legal fees and travel expenses for the family.

“Mia has been given a life sentence over in Dubai and she is now in central prison,” Danielle wrote on the fundraising page. “As her mother, I am absolutely devastated. I haven’t seen my daughter since last October.”

Danielle described Mia as a young woman who had never been in trouble before, but who had “got mixed up with the wrong so-called friends” and made “a very stupid mistake” that led to catastrophic consequences.

“This is a young girl who went to university to study law. She’s only 23 and has never done a bad thing in her life. Now she’s paying the price,” she added.

Although the exact details of Mia’s offence have not been made public, it’s understood that life sentences in the UAE can be handed down for drug trafficking, possession, or financial crimes related to drug offences, depending on the severity and circumstances.

In Dubai, a life sentence generally equates to around 15 years, though it can be longer or indefinite in certain cases.

Danielle told the Daily Mail that Mia had recently been transferred to a different facility after receiving her sentence. “She’s going through it at the minute… it’s been a massive shock,” she said.

The family is now desperately seeking financial support through a GoFundMe campaign, which has so far raised just under £700 toward its £1,600 target.

“Any amount you can spare—even if it’s just £1—will mean the world to us,” Danielle wrote. “The money will go toward legal fees, support for Mia while she’s in prison, and hopefully travel costs so we can visit her. None of us have seen her in nearly a year.”

Zero Tolerance: UAE Drug Laws and British Warnings

The UK Foreign Office strongly warns travellers about the UAE’s strict drug laws, noting a zero-tolerance policy on any drugs-related offences.

According to official government guidance: Possession of even trace amounts of illegal substances—including those found in the bloodstream—can lead to at least three months in prison.

Trafficking, smuggling, or possession can carry penalties ranging from heavy fines to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in the most severe cases.

Even items such as CBD products or certain herbal supplements, legal in the UK, are prohibited in the UAE.

The Emirates are known for employing advanced security screening technology in their airports, including for transit passengers.

A Mother’s Plea for Help

As her daughter faces an uncertain future thousands of miles from home, Danielle continues to fight to bring awareness to Mia’s case and gather the resources needed to support her.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far,” she wrote. “This money will make a real difference for Mia, and for us as her family. We just want to be able to help her through this.”

The family hopes that with enough support, they can ensure Mia receives proper legal representation and—eventually—a second chance.