Man steals money from neighbour's flat in UAE

Sharjah - The accused was surprised when the police said his fingerprints matched those on the broken door.

A 39-year-old Arab man stood trial at the Sharjah Criminal Court for stealing money from his neighbouring apartment.

The Sharjah Police received a complaint from an Arab national that he found the door his house broken when he came back from work. The police investigated the location and forensic experts confirmed the door was destroyed.

During the court hearing presided by judge Mahmoud Bakr, head of the criminal court, the accused pleaded not guilty. He said he was surprised when the police arrested him and said his fingerprints matched those on the broken door.

The accused said he had left the building and moved to another apartment a year ago. The theft took place in 2013, according to prosecution records.

Upon confrontation by the judge, the accused said the existence of the fingerprints might be due to the use of the same elevator.

However, the judiciary said told him the fingerprint match included not only those found outside the apartment but also inside the flat.

The court hearing was adjourned till February 28, for the defendant to present his defense memorandum.

• Sharjah