Dubai: A driver has been jailed for one year for getting intoxicated and attempting to murder his co-worker with a kitchen knife shortly after he walked out of the restroom.
The 54-year-old Pakistani driver, M.I., was said to have imbibed too much and got drunk before he had a heated argument with his 28-year-old Pakistani victim, B.S., in February.
The victim said the defendant stalked him all day long, tried to push him off the balcony, then insulted his family before they had a physical fight that ended with M.I. stabbing B.S. in the chest.
When the defendant showed up before the Dubai Court of First Instance, M.I. entered a not guilty plea, contending that he did not have any intention of trying to kill B.S.
Prosecutors accused M.I. of attempted murder and consuming alcohol.
Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat jailed him for one year for the attempted murder and fined him Dh2,000 for consuming liquor.
The accused will be deported following the completion of his punishment, according to Monday’s ruling.
The victim testified to prosecutors that the incident happened on a Friday.
“The defendant woke up and started drinking beer at 9am. By noon, my colleagues and I went for Friday prayers and, when we returned, the defendant was still drinking. M.I. started joking and then he insulted me and my family. I asked him to respect himself and stop using foul language as he was very drunk. When I was standing in the balcony, he tried to push me. I clutched the railing and saved myself from falling down.
“A roommate came out immediately and prevented the situation from worsening. I went to the washroom and, as soon as I walked out, the defendant jumped out from a corner and stabbed me with a knife. Friends and roommates stopped him from continuing his assault. I fainted and only woke up in hospital,” claimed B.S.
A police lieutenant testified that the convict’s roommates and friends aided the police in arresting the defendant.
Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
