Dubai: The Dubai Court of Misdemeanors yesterday sentenced renowned Emirati businessman Abid Al Boom to one year in jail after he was found guilty of issuing a bounced cheque worth Dh1.13 million for rent purposes.

Al Boom, owner of Abid Al Boom Management and Development Properties, of signing the cheque which bounced for insufficient funds.

Appearing before Presiding Judge Rifaat Tolba Othman, Al Boom admitted signing the cheque.

"Yes, I did sign that cheque, but it was for leasing purposes," he said.

One of Al Boom's lawyers, Ali Al Falasi, told Gulf News they are appealing the court's decision.

"We have already appealed the primary judgment. The Dubai Appeals Court hearing has been scheduled for June 21," he said.

The court earlier granted bail to Al Boom after taking custody of his passport as well as his Emirati guarantor's passport.

According to the Criminal Procedures Law, Al Boom should turn himself in to Dubai Public Prosecution's Criminal Rulings Execution Section for the implementation of his jail sentence.

"We will follow the required technical procedures concerning our client's bail request," said Al Falasi following yesterday's verdict.

Civil dispute

One of Al Boom's lawyers, Hassan Juma Al Raisi, argued that the case should have been handled by the Dubai Real Estate Court.

"This is a clear civil dispute that should be handled by Dubai Real Estate Court. Since the Public Prosecution seized my client's assets, properties and accounts, the above mentioned cheque bounced. He signed the cheque to pay the rent of his company's offices."

The Public Prosecution charged Al Boom with running a bogus investment portfolio, breach of trust, defrauding and swindling more than 3,850 investors out of more than Dh900 million. Seven of his associates, including his brother, face aiding and abetting charges.

Chief Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout is chairman of a special tribunal of the Misdemeanors Court, which was formed to handle Al Boom's swindling case.

Al Boom's referral to court coincided with a decree issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to set up a judicial committee to liquidate his assets.