Window Cleaning News

Window Washer Juan Monterroza works as water drips 20-stories to the ground. Juan Monterroza begins cleaning a row of windows on 100 Front Street in Worcester. Click to enlarge.

Window washer Juan Monterroza lowers himself from the roof of 100 Front Street to wash a vertical row of windows Tuesday July 16, 2013. Juan and another washer from Pierce Property Services will wash all the windows on the 20-story building in 4 days. He has washed most of the tall buildings in Worcester and Boston, including Prudential Center and the Hancock Tower, over 16 years on the job.  Click to enlarge.

Window Washer Juan Monterroza ties multiple figure eight knots and clove hitches anchoring his 2 ropes to steel and concrete anchors on the roof of 100 Front Street in Worcester. One of the most demanding parts of Juan Monterroza's job is hauling 600-foot ropes up to the roof of tall buildings as he works his way around. Click to enlarge.

Window Washer Juan Monterroza cleans windows on 100 Front Street in Worcester. Click to enlarge.

Duane Keller, of Fargo, owns Brite-Way Window Cleaning, a commercial and residential window cleaning company.

It's My Job: Fargo business owner has a clear vision for 'Brite' idea. Brite-Way Window Cleaning owner Duane Keller’s business philosophy centers around concentrating efforts on customers, not competitors. He doesn’t worry about being the cheapest in town. He wants to be the best. It’s just one of many ideas he picked up from the Brite-Way representative who trained him 40 years ago. Keller recently talked about his trade and the uniqueness of the Brite-Way business model.

Q. Is Brite-Way a franchise? Brite-Way started more than 40 years ago in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since its beginning, there have been more than 600 window-cleaning companies that have started. … The various companies are totally independent of each other. Other than initial training and consulting, we have no ties to each other. There has never been a dime of franchise fees paid.

How did you get into the business? A friend of mine was doing this, and I thought it was kind of interesting. I went to Cedar Rapids and trained for a week. He taught me pricing structure, sales tips, techniques, supplies to use, and how to do it efficiently. … It was a one-bucket operation to begin with.
Do you clean both commercial and residential windows? We’re 70 percent commercial and 30 percent residential.

What is the tallest building you’ve cleaned? We never were high-rise window cleaning. Through the years, we’ve been route and residential window cleaning. A route would be places like car dealers, grocery stores and those types. We also have more than 1,000 homes that we clean each spring and fall. We do a lot of lake homes.
What do you do on rainy days? There are always some insides to do or windows under canopies. We’ve had a real rainy season, and if it’s not windy, we’ll do windows right in the rain. Rainwater is clean and will not spot the windows. We always have a guarantee for the customer that if they can see a spot to give us a call, and we never get calls.

What are some challenges? The weather would certainly be a challenge. We get absolutely bombarded as soon as spring comes because you have spring cleanup. Then you have graduations, which also are very big. It’s kind of nice when mother-in-laws come to town, as well. Every once in a while we get a call saying ‘My mother-in-law is coming to town. Can you come and clean them this week?’

What do you like about your job? It’s fun. It’s the challenge of picking up new customers and working with my employees. I always tell the employees, we do more than clean windows, we serve people. That philosophy and culture has to start with me. If I don’t treat my employees that way, how do I expect them to carry that on?

Business Owners Are Planning Marketing Blitzes After SEC Action on Unregistered Shares: Douglas Penman of San Francisco is eager to place ads on buses and in newspapers inviting investors to back his startup, Nukotoys Inc., a maker of children's educational trading cards that interact with mobile devices. He also wants to hire people to wear T-shirts with the message, especially window washers, because the skyscrapers they clean could have wealthy executives inside. Mr. Penman started Nukotoys in 2010 after working for 15 years in the advertising industry. He says he raised a little more than $1 million from friends and family early on but quickly spent most of that on product development. Since then, he says, he has struggled to attract angel and venture investors to provide additional funding to expand his user base. Mr. Penman, who's seeking about $2 million, figures he would be more successful if he could openly solicit investors.

The Valley Today's John Trierweiler spent a day cleaning the windows at Essentia Health in Fargo, with A&B Window Cleaning.

John's Jobs: Window Washer - It's a job where you can't be afraid of heights, requires strong hands & arms and relies on nice weather. The Valley Today's John Trierweiler spent a day cleaning the windows at Essentia Health in Fargo, with A&B Window Cleaning. A&B cleans about 2,400 pieces of glass once a year at Essentia. A job that size takes them about three days to finish and there's a lot more to window cleaning than you think. AJ Hampson, showed us the ropes, literally. Introducing us to the bosun's chair, which allows him to be more agile. "As opposed to scaffolding there's a lot more gear involved and all we do is we're harnessed in and second we strap into this chair," Hampson said.

Of course strapping into that chair, getting hooked up and hopping over the top of an eight story building isn't easy.  But, failure to wash windows and get rid of all that dirt and grim can decay the life span of a window like plaque decaying a tooth. "That's all a build up of exhausts and dirt it all gets baked into the glass and if these buildings are not maintained well then you're going to have to replace a lot of glass and that gets pretty spendy,"  Hampson said.

A&B also gets a unique perspective, since they're the only ones who will get up close to the side of the building. They don't just wash the windows but look for any areas of concern. "Are there any real loose ends is the building starting to shift to much where we're starting to get leaks that's the kind of company we are where we keep track of that for our boss," Hampson said. When asked, how John did washing the windows on the side of Essentia, the team at A&B was very impressed. Hampson told him, "They turned out great your first couple windows ever, I was impressed. You're welcome to join the team anytime."

Window cleaning scam warning for Bridport: Tenants in the Bridport have been warned not to fall for a window cleaning scam. Magna has put out an alert after con men were targeting residents in Flaxhayes. The housing provider’s window cleaning contractors, Clean Image reported that people were trying to trick residents out of cash. After the contractors had finished cleaning the windows and had left site, another company was knocking on residents’ doors and requesting money for the work. A Magna spokesman advised tenants not to part with any money and said: “Clean Image does not request money from residents, so this is a scam.”

Bogus window cleaner tricks vulnerable people: Police are appealing for information about a bogus window cleaner, who has three times this week stolen from homes in Barking and Dagenham. On Monday, 15 July, the bogus cleaner called at two addresses of elderly residents in Dagenham. Today (Wednesday, 17 July) there was another in the Gascoigne area of Barking. In all three cases the man claimed to be a window cleaner, there to collect money that is owed to the resident’s genuine window cleaner. In the first two cases he gained entry to the houses and stole from them.

The man is described as a white male, 20-40 years old, of medium build with short fair or blonde hair. Investigating Officer, DC Gemma Townsend said: “I would like to remind everyone to be vigilant when they have a ‘knock at the door’. “Please don’t be trusting of strangers calling at your home unexpectedly. If you care for or are related to an elderly or vulnerable person please make sure they are aware of these incidents.” Anyone with information about these incidents should contact DC Gemma Townsend at the Barking and Dagenham Police Burglary Unit on 0203 276 1044, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are reminding Wirral householders to make sure their properties are secure as the lighter nights and warmer weather set in. Crime prevention officers say thieves take advantage of insecure properties and gain entry to premises looking for easy access - preferably through a left open door or window. Detective Inspector Justin Danher said: "We want our residents to feel secure in their homes but we also want to make you aware that unfortunately there are burglars who are prepared to enter homes through open windows and unlocked doors or even by using tools or garden implements to force an entry. "With lighter, warmer nights, we are urging residents to continue to make sure your homes and outbuildings such as sheds and garages are secure and not left vulnerable. "The community has an important role to play in preventing crime. We all lead busy lives but by taking a few extra seconds to check our homes are secure, our cars are locked and valuables - including car keys are not left on display." Phone Merseyside Police if you see anything or anyone suspicious whom you do not recognise or are not expecting, such as a window cleaner or builder.

Location: Sisley Italian Kitchen Restaurant  - The manager had the new busboy clean the windows and he found out that the cleaning service has not been there for six months. Mike the manager and Pamela sat at a table for four to have lunch together. She was on the internet all morning after her nap and then sat at a table that could have been making money with Mike the manager. When she went back to her office, she went into the safe to go over the last night’s receipts. When the paychecks were done, Mike the manager had two checks; his and a Hector Rodriguez. Mike went into the office to get a check for $500 from Pamela for the window cleaners. What window cleaners; weren’t the busboys doing the windows for at least six months? When confronted, Mike was adamant that he was doing no wrong. When Jamie accused him of stealing, Mike told him that he would pay him back, and he could take it out of his pay. Jamie had enough; he fired him on the spot.

Councillors caught on camera: You couldn't make it up...well, you could but, in this case, it's for real. I refer to the front page story where community councillor and campaigner Ian Murdoch has revealed that he has photographs of the four elected councillors - and a few community councillors - all parked illegally, particularly in and around Aitken Street, Largs. We actually 'sat' on the story for a few weeks because Ian Murdoch did not want distracted from the work he was doing for the recent Highland Games and the Family Fun Day. Councillor Murdoch, who admits that he has, at times, parked on yellow lines around Largs while going about his window cleaning and 'handyman' business, is making the point that there is no point in certain people jumping up and down and calling for action when they are culprits themselves. Personally, I resist the temptation to stop on the double yellows outside Tescos in Aitken Street, even on quiet evenings and if I have to walk a short distance to the shop so be it. Too many local folk are just plain lazy when they sit outside Tescos.

Covington City Councilman Keith Dalton admitted he has been operating two businesses without the proper licensing for years, but said he has now rectified that. “It was an omission on my part. I’m sorry if I’ve let anybody down,” he said. Records in the Planning and Zoning department show Dalton has now paid the proper fees for both his businesses. Dalton owns Covington Window Cleaners Inc., a janitorial service, and Hat Creek Properties LLC, a property management company. He has not paid the home occupational tax for either until recently. Covington Window Cleaners was formed in 1986 and Hat Creek Properties, which he owns with Craig Treadwell, was formed in 2007. Records on file with Planning and Zoning show Dalton paid the $100 home occupation tax for Hat Creek Properties on June 28. The $50 fee for Covington Window Cleaners was paid July 15, according to records.

Dalton said he has maintained registration with the Secretary of State’s Office and paid for general liability and worker’s compensation insurance, which cost more than the home occupation tax. Dalton said because the businesses are service-oriented, with work done on the job sites, and he only handles some related finance matters from his home on Flat Rock Trail, he did not think he needed a license. “It was just an omission on my part. I’m sure I’m not the only one but I can only worry about myself and fix the guy in the mirror,” he said. Senior Planner Scott Gaither said there have been no complaints filed with the Planning and Zoning Office about Dalton’s businesses. Dalton will not be charged retroactively, Gaither said. “Our goal is for compliance and not to penalize,” Gaither said, adding that such fees are for revenue and not regulatory purposes. The city does not technically have business licenses but occupational and home occupational taxes solely for the purpose of collecting revenue and not regulating business operations, according to City Attorney Ed Crudup. Dalton said that he has received a lot of support from the community since it was first reported that he did not have proper licensing. “It is overwhelming and has been way more of a positive than it has a negative,” he said.

Star Shots: Window washer Alex Conde was helping give people a clear view of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, July 16, 2013, while working on the parking garage at 11th and Oak streets. Conde works for Sun-Lite Service.

Window Cleaning Jesus: “There was one RE teacher once who had a picture of Jesus and she was showing it to the class and said to them I want you to tell me who this is. All their faces were blank. One little girl said ‘Well it looks awfully like our window cleaner,’ added Sue. “It is times like that make your life worth living,” said Helen. Talking of their job over the years and the advice they would offer to new teachers, the four women all said a sense of humour is imperative and an ability to stretch the children in their abilities.

Pigeon Racing: Curtis duo celebrate Channel race success - Just over 100 birds were sent by the Diss and District Racing Pigeon Club to Canappeville in France last Saturday. The race hosted the tradition Yearling Derby, where members are encouraged to send yearling birds over the channel (many for the first time) to compete. An encouraging number of 2012-born-and-bred pigeons were entered, but the winning bird was a year older, belonging to John and Lee Curtis. The Hepworth window cleaners clocked their winner after five hours on the wing to record a velocity of 1,277ypm.

SINGAPORE - A few days before Chinese New Year last year, Mrs Chandra Sivaramakrishnan was watching television late at night when she heard a loud bang. She ran out of her house to find that her elderly neighbour's sliding window had fallen onto the corridor. "It made such a frightening sound but no one came to check on what had happened. It was almost midnight. I was quite shocked and I thought she (the elderly neighbour) had fallen down but fortunately it was just the window that she was cleaning," Mrs Chandra told tabla! She helped the 70-year-old neighbour, who lives alone in her Tampines flat, to fix the window. In its fourth year, the Good Neighbour Award recognises those who go the extra mile for people in their community with exemplary acts of neighbourliness.

Window-cleaner Christian Barrios was one of many workers from more than 200 companies and suppliers preparing for today's 2013 NW Natural Parade of Homes.

Stephen Gill attaches a camera to a long pole to probe the bleak hide-outs of London’s most maligned birds - Stephen Gill is an alternative archaeologist, using his camera to peel away the layers that other photographers either don’t see, or don’t care about. He has always been interested in the underside of things. Years ago he did a series of pictures of the back of billboards – dull brown wooden rectangles whose blankness implied the emptiness of what was offered on the other side. Inner-city birds are something I’ve always watched and been interested in – the proximity between the human world and the animal world – and pigeons get such a hard time. So I thought, if I could get a camera up there…” He attached a camera to a telescopic window-cleaner’s pole and set up the self-timer and the flash. He had 12 seconds to get the pole up under the bridge and hold it still before the flash went off. He was photographing completely blind.

Cleaning windows: Shell’s thinktank mulls over world’s energy future - The Shell Strategy and Scenarios Team, whom political analyst Dr. Cho-Oon Kong (pictured) refers to as “window cleaners,” are looking at various possible energy futures and what can be done for more sustainable development. Surely, even now people realize that energy transition is taking place for reasons of climate change, among others. Over the next few decades, “We face a range of more turbulent changes, not just in energy but also in economic and geopolitical terms,” Kong said. The Team has come up with two broad energy scenarios—“Mountains” and “Oceans”—based on perceived trends in the economy, politics, and energy as far ahead as 2100.

CLEAR OUTLOOK: Sarah Cox is one of the few female window cleaners in South Canterbury.

Windows open up career in cleaning: If Sarah Cox stopped and had a coffee every time she was asked she would never get the windows cleaned, though she is grateful for the offers. The Geraldine mother started window cleaning three years ago and being a female endears her to clients, particularly mature women who live alone. It was not so much a career choice as a fortuitous opportunity. Her neighbour, Sarah Robinson, was looking for someone to take over her clients and Ms Cox was looking for work that would fit around her child; it was perfect.

She said it can be hard physically which is probably why most window cleaners are male. It certainly gives her a solid workout. "I lost 5 kilograms over six months in summer," she said. Not keen on heights Ms Cox tries to avoid ladders and instead uses a 10-metre pole for top storeys. A squeegee is a must with a bucket of water and chemicals. "It did take a few months to learn to swish," she said. The aim was to remove the water and not leave marks, in one flowing movement.

The benefits of the job outweigh the downside of working in the cold sometimes, she said. "I meet a lot of new people." Ms Cox is surprised that when people first find out what she does as a job they put it in the same category as a chore such as cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawns. "It's the last thing they want to do." The common aversion to the task just means more work for Ms Cox.

Little heat wave relief for arena construction workers: For construction workers surrounded by hot, sun-baked metal, the key words are hydration, hydration, hydration. As the temperature crept into the mid-90s Tuesday afternoon, sweat poured down John Culp's face. Stationed on the exposed metal roof of National Penn Bancshares' 11-story future headquarters at Seventh and Hamilton streets in Allentown, the 45-year-old Luzerne County ironworker had nowhere to hide from the midday sun. Torch in hand, long sleeves pulled down to protect against sparks, Culp set to welding rooftop anchors that will one day be the only things keeping a window washing crew from plummeting 11 stories down the side of the building. His only relief: the occasional breeze or a passing cloud. "It's miserable," Culp said. "But we are ironworkers. That's what we do. That's what we got into. That's our racket. If you don't like it, you just don't belong here." On a day like Tuesday, Culp figured he would suck down about a case of ice water.

The full extent of The closure of Southampton's ford factory was revealed today. With just ten days before the historic plant in Swaythling closes, the Daily Echo was given a guided tour of the site as workers prepare to down tools for the last time. All 531 employees working at the factory have either chosen redeployment within Ford, voluntary redundancy or early retirement. Mark McDonald, 49, from Regent's Park, has worked at the plant 23 years. He said: "Now everyone wants to get it over with. "I cannot fault Ford. When the closure was announced I thought everyone was going to be out of work. "But they helped us. I'm now going to join a window cleaning franchise. "It's very strange. These are people you've worked with for 23 years. It will be very emotional."

'Magnify how beautiful you can be' - Don has been in business all his life; that's what he does. He's created and sold successful and lucrative businesses in window cleaning, Sun Valley property management, antique dealing, grocery brokering. The promise to his son has become the driving force behind his next business, which emerged as he researched Matthew's cancer and treatment. "It occurred to me … that cancer is a symptom of a far greater problem. …"Your shampoo contains cancerous elements. Your deodorant does; your laundry detergent does: parabens and carcinogens …"Can you be genetically more predisposed to it than someone else? Absolutely. But that's greatly aggravated by environment, and also decreased by environment, depending on whether it's good or bad."

About the same time he became convinced that cancer was related to environment, Don learned about a product, a proprietary blend of plant extracts, he says, that, applied to crops, increases yields and decreases the need for massive amounts of fertilizer in fields, thus lessening the impact of chemicals in the environment. "And I have a son who is dying of cancer. … "I'm thinking this landed in my lap. I have to do something with this." Don is not an environmentalist or an advocate; he is a businessman. But a businessman with a promise to his son.

A rapidly growing company that cleans up after England's elite footballers has started the first wave of a major expansion by announcing plans to fill 80 jobs. MJF Cleaning Services, in Darlington, says it wants to create about 400 posts during the next five years, and extend operations into the North West. The firm, founded just seven years ago by domestic window cleaner, Martin Ferguson, already cleans steel structures at the Football Association's £105m St George's Park training base, in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and recently expanded its Darlington headquarters to house its 125-strong workforce.

Mr Ferguson, MJF managing director, says the firm, which has cleaning contracts with Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, and Middlesbrough's Cleveland Cable, was committed to opening a new office near the M62 next year. He said: “Our biggest investment will always be in our staff, who are all local, as they are the most important part of what we do and keep our business growing. “The offices needed changing as we have more staff than we anticipated at this stage in our development, and coupled with our marketing investment, will be essential if we want to attract new contracts and compete nationally.”

Man injured by a piece of shattered glass files suit (NEW ORLEANS) – A cabinet installation company is being sued by a Michigan man who claims a shard of glass injured his eye after a window was thrown off a two-story building. Matthew Coburn filed suit against Certain Underwriters and Lloyd’s of London and Ruiz Cabinet Installation LLC in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on May 15. Coburn claims he was packing his tools on the ground floor of a two-story building that was undergoing renovations on 1924 Lafayette Street on June 3, 2011 while two employees from Ruiz Cabinet Installation were on the second floor doing demolition work, including removing windows. The plaintiff alleges that a window thrown from a second floor shattered near him and caused a piece of glass to shoot into his eye. The defendant is accused of negligence for allegedly failing to correct unsafe work conditions, not transporting the window to ground level safely and failing to properly train and supervise employees. An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of present and future economic income and earning potential.

Wrigley Building lifts curtain on its $70 million redo: A year-long, $70 million rehab of the iconic Wrigley Building is complete. The renovation and restoration, a joint venture by the Zeller Development Corp. and Goettsch Partners, a Chicago-based architectural firm, has given new life and luster to the Wrigley Building's twin towers and to the plaza and pedestrian walkway situated between the towers. One unusual aspect of the building hasn't changed with the revamp, however: All the exterior surfaces of the many windows in the building will continue to be cleaned from the inside. "No one wants window washer equipment to damage the building's ornate terra cotta exterior," noted Janice Sava Goldsmith, president of Zeller Development Corporation.

Retired minister and poet the Rev. John Mark Scott -Born on Sept. 13, 1919, Rev. Scott lived with his parents, two sisters and a brother in Reserve. He attended Allegheny High School on the North Side, which was a 3-mile trek, one way, from his family home. "It was downhill in the morning, but uphill coming home," he said. "The walk got pretty warm in September and June." He helped to pay for his education at the University of Pittsburgh by working as an elevator operator and window washer. He recalled working outside the Cathedral of Learning in a bosun's chair, suspended more than 30 stories above the ground. He trained for the ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Father, grandfather of Cherish's sisters want custody:  Both the father and the grandfather of Cherish Perrywinkle’s two sisters are vowing to win custody of the girls who were taken weeks after Cherish’s abduction and death. The father, Aharon Pearson, 37, said 5-year-old Destiny and 4-year-old Nevaeh Perrywinkle were taken by the Department of Children and Families this week, mostly because of the disrepair of the Northside house he was renting. He and Rayne Perrywinkle, Cherish’s mother, separated in the week after Cherish’s death. His custody case plan from the Department of Children and Families calls for him to attend parenting classes twice a week, keep a steady job, rent a two-bedroom apartment, receive grief counseling and pass a psychological evaluation. “I’m putting my trust in God,” he said. “One way or the other, ... [Rayne and I] want to get the kids back.”

Cherish Perrywinkle was found dead after she was abducted from a Jacksonville Walmart on June 21. Donald James Smith, a 56-year-old sex offender, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. Cherish died of strangulation, according to the indictment. Pearson said he’s been able to call his two daughters since they were taken Tuesday. The girls, according to Pearson and his father, are with a family that helped after Cherish’s death. Perrywinkle could not be reached for comment. Pearson said his daughters don’t know what’s going on, but they were asking where he was. “I miss you, Daddy,” he said they had told him. He’s not the only one fighting for custody, though.

His father and the girls’ grandfather, 65-year-old Tom Pearson, said he feels well-equipped to take care of the girls financially and emotionally. “I am trying to get custody of my grandbabies,” he said. He said he had offered to temporarily take the girls after Cherish died so Perrywinkle could have time to grieve, but she got upset at him for suggesting it. Tom Pearson said he’s wanted to get custody of the girls for a while. “The kids were always in danger over there,” he said, noting that Perrywinkle and his son often argued. “I want the best for her, I really do. But not right now. Not with my grandkids.” Tom Pearson will have to talk to the local agency for foster care services, Family Support Services of North Florida. Aharon Pearson said though his father would do a good job raising the girls, he should get custody. “The truth is, they’re my girls,” he said. “As long as I do what I am supposed to do, I have a better case of getting them.”

Aharon Pearson said he has been working as a window cleaner for about five months. His father plans on retiring within the next year from his hardwood flooring business. Department of Children and Families spokesman John Harrell said that custody cases consider the safest and most familiar place that the children would be in. “We have to, number one, make sure the children are going to be safe, they’re going to be cared for, they’re going to be protected,” he said. “If you have a case where the children may be familiar with a certain person, then that needs to be taken into consideration, too.” He said that caseworkers with Family Support Services would make recommendations to a court and then a judge would make the decision. Judges and caseworkers review the cases every 30 days, but they try not to move children around too much. “You would want to, in cases like these, as much as possible, avoid disruptions in children’s lives,” he said. “You want some sort of normalcy.”

Woman accused of torturing two maids in Dubai: A woman has been accused of torturing her two maids and causing one of them to die of pneumonia, while she kept them unfed and locked in her Al Rashidiya home for more than a month. The surviving maid, a Filipina, alleged that the 45-year-old Emirati woman, R.M., beat them with sticks while naked, banged their heads against the wall until they bled and forced her to drink cleaning products. She told the court her Ethiopian colleague was so hungry she searched for food in the garbage. Prosecution records said the severity of the torture and conditions of their confinement led to the Ethiopian’s death and caused the 29-year-old Filipina, E.K. to suffer severe injuries. Dubai Police’s forensic expert, who examined the injuries of the Ethiopian, K.J., confirmed that she had been tortured consistently for more than a month. The examiner said keeping K.J. without medication worsened her health and caused her to develop pneumonia. “The fact that she was made to drink a pesticide quickened her death,” said the examiner.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said R.M. also failed to provide the maids with medical care that led to K.J.’s death while the Filipina suffered serious injuries. Prosecutors charged R.M.’s Emirati husband, A.F., with aiding and abetting his wife by preparing a room at the top of his villa and sealing its windows from outside to confine the maids. The Emirati husband and his wife entered a not guilty plea when they defended themselves before the Dubai Court of First Instance. “No, I am not guilty,” A.F. told the court. Meanwhile, his wife, R.M., said with a jittery voice: “No… that did not happen. I swear to God. I did not touch the maids. I knew nothing about their injuries.” Presiding judge Ali Atiyyah Sa’ad rejected R.M.’s bail request and adjourned the trial to hear witnesses on July 1. The husband remains out on bail.

The Filipina testified that R.M. once forced her to drink Chlorox mixed with Dettol because she disapproved of the way she cleaned the bathroom. “She did not feed us properly and kept us locked up inside the room for long periods. She used to beat us with sticks until they broke on our bodies. She constantly claimed that she had a VIP job and threatened to send me to jail because her husband worked in the court. Her brutality and torture made me consider absconding… but I failed to do so because we were confined all the time. She prevented me from calling my parents. Most of the time K.J. and I were not allowed to speak to each other. “She beat us brutally and used to bang our heads against the walls until we bled. She used to remove our clothes and force us into the washroom where she would take pictures of us naked and threaten to send them to our friends.

One day K.J. was so hungry that she had to look for something to eat from the garbage. Four days before her death, K.J. fell very ill… she couldn’t walk or talk or go to the bathroom. R.M. insisted on not taking the Ethiopian to hospital although I warned her and begged her to do so. When it was too late and K.J died, the defendant [R.M.] offered me huge amounts of money to keep my mouth shut,” said E.K. R.M.’s countrywoman friend testified that she spotted the woman suspect beating and torturing the maids over different occasions. The husband was quoted admitting that they confined the maids to prevent them from absconding. He also told prosecutors that his wife was a very nervous person and a troublemaker.

Man told ex she would ‘wake up to a dead body’- A man threatened to stab his former girlfriend and any man who went near her, a court was told. Thomas Jones sent his ex-girlfriend numerous texts and told her she would wake up to a dead body on the doorstep at her Blackpool home. Jones, a 23-year-old window cleaner, of North Avenue, Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty to harassing his former partner before magistrates. He was bailed to July 24 for pre-sentence reports by Blackpool Magistrates’ Court. He must not enter Blackpool except for court and appointments with his lawyer and not contact his ex as conditions of his bail.

Adrian Hollamby, prosecuting, said Jones returned his daughter and her son to his ex-girlfriend after having the children to stay overnight with him on July 8. Later he went into her bedroom and quizzed her on what she had been doing and if she had been seeing anyone. He then saw a photograph of a man she had once been out for a drink with, the court was told. He the told his ex-girlfriend: “I’m going to stab him. I’ll stab anyone who goes near you and then I’ll stab you.” He left but bombarded her with texts. She texted back: “I’m sick of being scared of you,” the court heard. Leisa Splaine, defending, said the couple had been in a relationship for three years. Ms Splaine added: “That relationship is over and that is something that has been difficult for him.”