Dubai: A Filipino nurse who stabbed his fellow countryman to death with a potato peeler after fighting over a woman has lost his appeal and will serve a five-year jail term.

The 39-year-old nurse, O.J., was said to have brawled with his colleague, L.N., and stabbed him with the potato peeler during a dinner party at his home in October 2012.

The Dubai Appeal Court rejected O.J.’s appeal on Wednesday. Presiding judge Saeed Salem Bin Sarm said the accused will be deported after serving his jail term.

Records said both men were drunk when O.J. attacked L.N. after a heated argument over a woman.

“I did not intend to murder him. I am sorry for what happened. It was an accident,” the defendant told the appeal court when he entered an innocent plea.

The accused was arrested at Dubai International Airport, according to records.

An Emirati police lieutenant said the defendant admitted that he had fought with L.N. and stabbed him after the victim mocked O.J. and criticised his girlfriend.

What transpired

“The defendant said L.N. asked him what was remarkable in his personality or character that made him a better person for his girlfriend. Then, the victim assaulted O.J., who grabbed a sharp tool and stabbed L.N.,” the lieutenant said.

A Filipino nurse, J.M., who witnessed the incident, said the event happened on October 2 when he went along with friends (including the victim) to dine at O.J.’s place.

“The woman was cooking in the kitchen while we chatted. O.J. served us alcohol. For reasons I am not aware of, a heated argument erupted between O.J. and L.N. and it developed into a fight. I didn’t notice the defendant stabbing the victim. I only saw a knife that the defendant used to cut lemons.

“L.N. left the flat and asked me to follow him. Then I heard O.J. claiming that he thought he had stabbed the victim. When I went out of the elevator, I spotted the victim on the floor and breathing heavily… he was bleeding,” J.M. said.

An Emirati policeman testified that O.J. was arrested shortly after J.M. reported the matter to the police.

Wednesday’s ruling remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.