Personal trainer Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, has been detained in Dubai – she had previously been in court after police found her with thousands of pounds on the M62
A personal trainer who was previously caught by police with thousands of pounds on a UK motorway has now been detained in Dubai.
Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, was convicted in 2023 for being in possession of criminal property after officers discovered over £8,000 in her glove box. The then 21-year-old was pulled over off the M62 in Warrington because of her poor driving. But officers grew suspicious after asking her what she had on her, to which she replied she had “no money” as she was on her way back from the shops.
Moments later, they found more than £8,000 of criminal cash hidden inside the vehicle. It was found that the personal trainer and masseuse was in fact on a return journey after travelling to a service station approximately 170 miles away – where she had been “doing a favour” for a friend.
Bettridge was found to have driven to Gordano Services on the M5 near to Bristol, a roughly three-hour drive from her home on Greenfield Road in Dentons Green, before quickly returning back north.
In September 2023, she walked free from court after admitting possessing criminal property. Bettridge was handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days and 75 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £1,200 in court costs.
She then went on to live in Dubai, with her social media stating that she remains a personal trainer in the Middle East, the Liverpool Echo reports. She also says she is an events planner in the United Arab Emirates.
Bettridge has now been detained in the country, with the Foreign Office confirming officials are supporting a British woman who has been detained in Dubai.
A spokesperson also said they are in contact with local authorities following the detention. An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Bettridge moved to Dubai shortly after her conviction, according to posts on her social media.
In order to obtain a work visa in Dubai with a criminal record, a certificate of good conduct must be produced from the applicant’s home country, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development CIPD.
