Hotel worker who flushed stolen money down toilet imprisoned

Dubai: A hotel worker, who flushed down the toilet 200 euros (Dh920) and $100 (Dh367) after security cameras exposed him stealing from a patron, has been jailed.

The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced the 26-year-old Sri Lankan worker to three months to be followed by deportation after he confessed to his charges.

In his confession to the court, he admitted that he entered the Algerian resident's room using one of the eight electronic hotel room keys, which he stole from the hotel's front desk, and stole the money.

Records said the accused, identified as M.N., also handed the hotel management a written confession, which was used against him during the police questioning.

The Public Prosecution charged the servant with stealing the special electronic keys and the money.

The hotel's Syrian public relations manager testified that the suspect claimed that he threw the money in the toilet and flushed it away after the Algerian informed the hotel management that his money was stolen while he took a shower.

"The hotel's surveillance cameras exposed the accused entering the Algerian's room while he was carrying a newspaper... The resident claimed that he didn't request M.N. to bring him a newspaper. The accused claimed that he disposed the money in the washroom after the police was alerted about the crime," the Syrian said.

Court records said the police found the electronic hotel room keys and $1 plus four tourist cheques in the Sri Lankan's private cabin in the hotel. The ruling is still subject to appeal.

The hotel's surveillance cameras exposed the accused entering the Algerian's room while he was carrying a newspaper... The resident claimed that he didn't request M.N. to bring him a newspaper.