Mia O'Brien, a 23-year-old British law student from Liverpool University, has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai after being found with 50 grams of cocaine. The drug, valued at approximately £2,500, was discovered in October. Despite pleading not guilty, O'Brien was convicted on July 25 and fined £100,000 by the court.

Her mother, Danielle McKenna, has been in contact with her daughter, who is currently incarcerated in Dubai Central Prison alongside six other inmates. McKenna expressed her daughter's distress, stating, "Mia feels she has destroyed her life as she wanted to be a lawyer or solicitor."

Danielle noted that their phone conversations are limited, saying, "I speak to her but she can't say too much on the phone. She's just made a stupid mistake after going over to see a friend and her boyfriend in Dubai."

Mia was reportedly convicted without a trial in English, as the proceedings were conducted in Arabic. Her mother revealed that Mia was informed of her life sentence later by her lawyer. "The trial was all in Arabic and Mia was told of the sentence later by her lawyer. She is absolutely devastated by what has happened. Mia is being really strong but I know she is going through a living hell," McKenna added.

The case has drawn attention due to the severity of the sentence and the circumstances surrounding it. This situation continues to develop as further details emerge.