A Scottish hotel HR who was murdered in Dubai was a victim of a botched robbery a court was told.

Maria McClymont, 50 and mother of three, was knifed through the heart by a Syrian man, who is in his 20s, whom she had befriended, according to a report in the Daily Record.

The killer’s statement was read out in court while he awaits extradition from Syria.

He claimed a friend told him to exploit McClymont for cash, but then said he should drug her before robbing her.

However, the accused claimed he got into a fight with her and then feared the police would be called so stabbed her in the heart with a kitchen knife.

The Syrian, who was not named in court, denies murder and his friend denies incitement to murder. The trial continues.