Donna Turner, of Scone appeared in Muswellbrook Local Court yesterday to answer charges of stealing from Dubai’s President and ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also owns the globally recognised thoroughbred breeding operation Darley.

Darley stands stallions in six countries around the world with its Australian headquarters based at Aberdeen, where Turner was employed.

Turner, 31, who worked for Darley as an accounts manager, allegedly deposited large amounts of money into her personal bank account over two years with one transaction totaling $110,000.

Turner was charged with stealing $784,959 from the stud between January 2007 and March last year.

Upper Hunter police allege she made a total of 26 transactions of varying amounts ranging from $8800 to $110,000.

Turner has pleaded not guilty.

The sheik, who is also vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, had an estimated wealth in June last year of $12 billion.

Magistrate Stephen Jackson adjourned the matter to Muswellbrook Local Court on March 15.