5-year jail term upheld for man who stabbed workmate to death in Dubai

Dubai - In his appeal, the worker claimed he only meant to "scare" the victim.

A 27-year-old expat, who fatally stabbed a fellow worker, has lost his appeal against a five-year jail term.

In his defence, the Nepali worker claimed that it wasn’t his intention to kill his workmate as he only meant to “scare” him. He stabbed him in the chest during a fight among several people at their accommodation.

The defendant confessed that he had consumed alcohol when the fight broke out on December 20 last year. He had been detained after the case was reported to the Jebel Ali police station.

The Dubai Court of Firstance found him guilty of unintentionally causing the man’s death and sentenced him to five years in jail.

He filed an appeal against the verdict but lost the case. Upholding the primary verdict, the appellate court’s ruling is final and the defendant shall be deported after his jail term. The other people, who got involved in the fight, had been referred to the Court of Misdemeanours.

The accommodation supervisor, a Pakistani, said he learnt about the incident from a worker at around 4.30pm. “When the victim was taken to a hospital, he was still alive. By the time I got there, I was informed that he had died.”

The 30-year-old supervisor told the prosecutor that based on the CCTV cameras at the accommodation, it appeared that the victim and the other accused initiated the assault.

“They chased after the accused into his room, where the stabbing happened. However, the incident was out of the cameras’ scope. The workers, including the victim, had gathered near the washroom and planned to attack the defendant. The latter acted in self-defence.”

A police lieutenant said the defendant was arrested right after the stabbing was reported.

According to the forensic report, the victim died of severe internal bleeding. The stab wound cut through his left lung and heart. The victim was also found to be under the influence of alcohol.

A footage showing five people kicking and beating a man was submitted as evidence.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai