Hospital employee jailed for stealing Dh20,000 from a patient in Dubai

Dubai - A witness said the money belonged to his 26-year-old Nigerian sister-in-law who gave birth in October last year.

A Dubai expat has been sentenced to six months in jail by the Court of First Instance after he was found guilty of stealing Dh20,000 from a patient at a hospital where he worked.
A witness said the money belonged to his 26-year-old Nigerian sister-in-law who gave birth in October last year.
"Relatives and friends helped her towards settling the hospital expenses. On the day of the incident, the money was left for some time at the reception. It was gone when I came to take it," he recounted during the investigation.
Through the CCTV cameras in place, the defendant - a 31-year-old Filipino who worked at the hospital - was caught taking the bag while it was left unattended. The police arrested him after checking the security footage.
A complaint was lodged at Al Rafaa police station.
The accused denied the theft charge, but the court found him guilty. It also ordered that he be deported after his jail term.
The ruling can be appealed.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai