Dubai: A nurse has been jailed for five years for killing his fellow countryman with a potato peeler after quarrelling over a woman during a dinner party.

The 39-year-old Filipino nurse, O.J., invited his countrymen, including his co-worker, the victim L.N., for dinner in October 2012.

The defendant and the victim were drunk when O.J. attacked L.N. after having a heated argument over a woman.

“I did not intend to murder him. I am sorry for what happened. It was an accident,” said the nurse before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

Records said the defendant was arrested at Dubai International Airport.

Presiding judge Ali Attiyah Sa’ad found O.J. guilty of killing L.N. and sentenced him to five years in jail followed by deportation.

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

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

Prosecutors said O.J. murdered his countryman by stabbing him in the chest with a potato peeler.

The defendant was also charged with drinking liquor.

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

“L.N., our woman friend and I went to dine at the defendant’s residence. 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 any of them carry a sharp tool. I didn’t see the defendant stabbing the victim. However, 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. When I put my hand on his chest, I realised that he was bleeding,” said J.M.

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

Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.