An Abu Dhabi court sentenced a nanny who assaulted a three-year-old boy in her care to a suspended one-month prison term and fined her AED 3,000. After the criminal judgment became final, a civil court also ordered her to pay AED 10,000 in compensation to the child’s mother.

According to a medical report submitted to the court, the child sustained multiple scratches to his chest and beneath his jaw during the incident. Following the final criminal judgment, his mother filed a civil lawsuit seeking AED 25,000 in compensation for the financial and emotional harm caused to her and her son.

The mother told the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court that she had entrusted the woman with her child’s care and safety while she was away, but the woman had harmed him.

The defendant claimed she had not been hired to care for the child and that her only duty was to drive. She also alleged that the case had been filed against her because of a dispute over unpaid wages and contractual obligations, and asked the court to dismiss the mother’s compensation claim.

The civil court rejected her defence, ruling that the assault had already been established by a final judgment from the Abu Dhabi criminal court and could not be challenged again during the compensation proceedings.

In determining the compensation, the judges considered the child’s documented injuries, medical expenses and the emotional harm suffered by both him and his mother. The court also cited the family’s loss of trust in the person entrusted with caring for the child.

The nanny was ultimately ordered to pay AED 10,000 in compensation for material and emotional damages, along with court fees and legal costs. The ruling also imposed annual interest of 4 per cent from the date the civil judgment becomes final until full payment, provided that the total interest does not exceed the principal amount awarded.