Dubai A driver has been accused of breaching the sanctity of a mosque when he stole a laptop bag while its owner was busy performing the maghreb prayers.
The 24-year-old Pakistani driver, M.N., was said to have waited for an Indian clerk to start his prayers before he grabbed the bag that contained cash and other personal belongings and documents in August.
The defendant pleaded guilty and admitted that he robbed the bag when he showed up before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Thursday.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the defendant breached the sanctity of the mosque and robbed the clerk’s bag.
Court records showed that M.N. is currently serving a month-imprisonment for involvement in a similar case. The Dubai Misdemeanour Court sentenced him to one month followed by deportation on September 1.
The defendant, who is in custody, asked the presiding judge to hand out a swift judgement against him.
The Indian clerk claimed to prosecutors that the incident happened at 7.15pm in a mosque in Karama area.
“I entered the mosque and put my laptop bag beside me to offer the maghreb prayers. When the prayers concluded, I turned back to pick my bag … but it had gone. The bag contained some papers, photos for my wife and myself, Dh40 and a special work-related guidebook. I reported the matter to the police immediately,” the clerk testified.
Records said the defendant was arrested later for being involved in another case.
The clerk’s personal documents and belongings that were in the stolen laptop bag were found in the defendant’s possession.
M.N. was cited admitting to prosecutors that he stole the bag and that he had been convicted and punished in a similar case.
A ruling will be handed out on October 19.
