An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a man to repay a woman AED 48,700 and pay AED 10,000 in compensation after finding that he had obtained money from her over a period of time by leading her to believe he intended to marry her.

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court found that the man had received money from the woman in cash and through bank transfers after promising to repay her once his financial situation improved and his banking arrangements were completed.

The woman filed a civil lawsuit against the man, seeking AED 48,800 as the outstanding debt. She also sought AED 20,000 in compensation for financial and emotional harm caused by deception, deliberate delays in payment and repeated refusal to return the money.

She also requested annual late-payment interest of 5 per cent from the date the case was filed until full settlement, as well as court costs and legal fees.

The court ultimately ordered the man to pay the woman AED 48,700 for the debt and AED 10,000 in compensation.