A man who was arrested after leaving a negative Google review has returned home in time for Christmas.
Northern Ireland man Craig Ballentine was arrested in Abu Dhabi airport back in October after posting the review about his former employers in Dubai.
Radha Stirling, who helps tourists through legal issues in the UAE, said Ballentine made the comments about a dog grooming salon where he spent six months working in 2023.
Ballentine said he needed time off from work due to illness and presented his employer with medical certificates to facilitate that.
But the Dubai dog groomers reported him as ‘absconded’ to local authorities, and he was ultimately forced to return to the UK.
Ballentine wrote the critical Google review when he was back on home soil, which led to his arrest on slander charges while he was on holiday in Abu Dhabi.
Ballentine said he had paid a fine and been given a one-month social media ban, according to the BBC – though there remained a possibility Ballentine would have had to stay in the UAE over Christmas due to a court hearing early next year.
And while Ballentine may have to return in January for that, he did return back home to his family in Northern Ireland on Thursday (December 19).
BBC News NI spoke to him shortly after he touched down at Dublin Airport earlier this week.
“It has been very overwhelming, because it has been quite confusing,” he said.
“It has been a Christmas miracle.”
Ballentine added: “The happiness kicked in when I just arrived at Dublin Airport, when I saw Dublin from the sky, that was it.
“I will have an extra big fry in the next hour or two and then it will be mainly focusing on seeing friends and family.
“On Christmas Eve, we are going to do the 12 pubs of Christmas – there are a few friends from Liverpool coming over, we do it every year – and I texted them this morning, saying, ‘I’m coming’.”
Before Ballentine was granted permission to return home for the festive season, a GoFundMe was set up with the slogan ‘Help Bring Craig Home!’.
“What started out as a holiday to catch up with friends for Craig has turned out to be a living nightmare,” the fundraiser said.
“We are asking for help to cover the financial burden that this case has taken on Craig who has been out of work due to the fiasco that his previous employer has caused.
“The burdening costs are crippling and any help will be greatly appreciated. At present legal fees are crippling and any money raised will go to help clearing these costs.”
