Briton held in missing woman case

Kerry Winter has been in Dubai for seven years

A British man has been arrested by police in Dubai in connection with the disappearance of a South African woman.

Kerry Winter, 35, has not been seen since 20 August, when witnesses reported seeing a man beat her with a baseball bat.

The attacker was then said to have bundled Miss Winter into her car, before driving off.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed Mark Arnold, 42, is being held and consular assistance is being provided.

Police in Dubai have so far released little detail about the case, other than to say Miss Winter is still missing.

A 'good friend'

The body of a woman found in the desert on Wednesday morning was not linked to the case, officers said.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We can confirm a British national was arrested in Dubai on August 25 and we are providing consular assistance.

"As far as we are aware, he's not been charged."

Mr Arnold is understood to be a company director who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent.

Miss Winter has been working as an events manager in the United Arab Emirates for seven years.

There's still hope but we're really anxious Kurt Winter

Her brother Kurt, 41, described her as a "good friend" who loved travel and enjoyed life in Dubai.

Mr Winter has been told the attack took place outside his sister's house.

He said: "We believe the attacker punched her in the face.

"Witnesses said he had a baseball bat, while others said it was a stick. He then bundled her in the car and drove off.

"We are unaware of her whereabouts thereafter."

Mr Winter fears she has been dumped in the desert and - together with his son-in-law David Giles - has begun searching.

"We are looking for any sort of clues but it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack," he said.

Mr Winter said family and friends will be holding a prayer vigil on Friday.

"As long as she's not found dead then there's still hope but we are really anxious," he said.

Laboratory tests

The family sent text messages to Miss Winter's mobile phone and received replies to say she was fine.

However, they now believe it was not Miss Winter who answered.

"Police have told us they found her car and it has gone to the laboratory for tests but we don't know anything more," Mr Winter said.

A spokesman for the South African Foreign Affairs Department said: "We are in contact with the United Arab Emirates foreign ministry and police to follow up the matter.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family."