The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dundee dad is saved from the streets of Dubai
Malcolm Faren had been living in abandoned building
A Dundee dad has been rescued from the streets of Dubai after being forced to live in “disgusting” conditions in an abandoned building.
Fintry man Malcolm David Faren, 63, moved out to the UAE more than two decades ago but had recently fallen on hard times.
He was left with no choice but to take shelter anywhere he could after the police seized his passport amid a court wrangle over a £20,000 debt, meaning he was unable to either work or leave the country.
His three daughters have now thanked all those across the world who helped, particularly British expats in Dubai who found him and moved him to safe accommodation.
His youngest, Jasmin, 25, who grew up in Dubai but left several years ago, said: “I have been crying so much the last few days knowing he is safe.
“The abandoned building he was staying in was absolutely disgusting.
“We need to get him home now somehow,” she added.
A Dundee father left homeless and sheltering in an abandoned building in Dubai has been rescued from the streets by kind-hearted expats.
Malcolm David Faren, 63, was left alone and helpless in the UAE city after police seized his passport amid a court wrangle, meaning he was unable to work or leave the country.
His three daughters spoke of their relief yesterday, after it emerged Malcolm, originally from Fintry, has found permanent accommodation thanks to a group of British men.
His youngest daughter, Leeds-based law graduate Jasmin, said: “The amount of support has been amazing. I feel like I can finally breathe; it’s such a relief.
“I have been crying so much the last few days, knowing he is safe.”
The family’s next mission is to get much-loved Malcolm home to Scotland.
The former technology manager, who moved to the Gulf region with his family in 1995, has never met his first-born granddaughter Izabelle, 2, because of the nightmarish situation.
Jasmin, 25, and her sisters Stephanie, 30, and Sam, 35, say his health has deteriorated noticeably, with significant weight loss, as they shared images of a derelict building in which he was living.
Malcolm stayed behind in Dubai after his wife Lisa moved to Qatar for work in 2011 and Jasmin returned to the UK.
Soon afterwards, he was made redundant and struggled to find another job in the UAE’S biggest city. He lived with friends for several years but, when they moved away, he was periodically homeless and was subsequently arrested over a financial matter.
The family claims the owner of the villa her father previously rented tried to cash a pre-dated security cheque, covering a year’s rent, which he had provided up front. The family had already left and new tenants were secured.
The cheque bounced and because debt is considered a criminal matter in UAE law, he was convicted and spent nine months in jail.
The civil courts then ordered him to pay 100,000 AED (£20,500) even though he no longer has a visa and is barred from working. He cannot, legally, find accommodation or leave the country.
Jasmin said: “He is currently not allowed to leave until his debt is cleared, yet is not allowed to work because of this debt. It is a vicious circle with no end.
“He doesn’t like to worry us so he didn’t tell us how bad the situation had become.
“The abandoned building he was staying in was absolutely disgusting. We need to get him home now somehow.”
Through an online fundraiser, more than £2,000 has been raised by the sisters, who were growing increasingly worried for their father’s health amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
They estimate £30,000 is needed to pay off the debt and get him home.
After hearing of Malcolm’s ordeal, expats have found him a permanent place to stay with fellow Scots.
Chris Bradwell, originally from Derby, said: “We’ve paid his outstanding rent and sorted him some cash for food for the next month.
“We are also trying to help with his legal issues with help from fellas in our British community of dads.
“He seemed happy when I saw him briefly on Saturday. Someone gave us some clothes and a can of Irn-bru — I’m not sure what made him more happy!”
The Foreign Office, who the family say has failed to provide adequate help, say they have provided consular assistance on “several occasions” since 2018.
A spokesperson added: “We’re in contact with his family and the local authorities in Dubai, and stand ready to help should he require any further support.”