Worker strangles masseuse to death over Dh100, Dubai court hears

Dubai - The murder happened at a massage parlour in International City.

A man allegedly strangled a masseuse to death over Dh100, the Dubai Court of First Instance has heard. According to Dubai public prosecution records, the incident happened on June 19. The defendant, a 42-year-old Afghan construction worker, strangled the victim, a Vietnamese, with his head cover (ghatra) and then with a metallic wire.

He became violent after the woman wouldn't return the Dh100 he had reportedly paid her for sex.

The man is also accused of having illicit sex, theft and damaging private property. He stole the victim's gold bracelet and ring and damaged cables of cameras of the shop where she worked.

The case was registered at Al Rashidiya police station.

A police lieutenant said a forensic doctor determined the case was a homicide because of injury traces around her neck. "We set up a probe force. Through investigation, we located and arrested the suspect. He admitted to killing her."

The murder happened at a massage parlour in International City.

Before he left, the defendant stole the woman's belongings and destroyed the surveillance cameras equipment so that he could not be traced. "But he was later apprehended at his workplace," the lieutenant told the prosecutor.

The defendant remains in detention pending his trial that has been adjourned to November 1.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai