Dubai: A driver, who attacked his co-worker with a knife leading to his death following a heated argument at a construction site, will spend 10 years in jail.
The 38-year-old Bangladeshi driver had a heated argument with his Indian co-worker in November 2016 when the latter started beating him up with a piece of wood.
The 38-year-old then took out the knife and stabbed the victim, who succumbed to his injuries the following day in hospital where he had undergone several surgeries.
In April, the Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the driver of assault which led to the victim’s death and jailed him for five years after he had pleaded not guilty.
The defendant appealed his primary judgement and asked the Appeal Court to reduce his punishment.
Unlike prosecutors, who appealed the same judgement and asked the appellate court to stiffen the punishment.
Presiding judge Eisa Al Sharif dismissed the defendant’s appeal and accepted that of the prosecutors.
The five-year sentence was stiffened to 10 years in jail.
Presiding judge Al Sharif said the accused will be deported following the completion of his jail term.
The knife that was used in the attack would be confiscated.
A police lieutenant testified that Dubai Police’s operation room was informed about a stabbing incident at a construction site in Al Rashidiya.
“A police patrol was dispatched to the location. On-site investigations revealed that the accused and the victim had exchanged assaults following a heated argument. Their co-workers stopped the fight the first time, but later the two men fought again. Witnesses said that the victim pounded the defendant with a piece of wood before the 38-year-old retaliated by stabbing him with a knife. Following his arrest, the accused admitted that he attacked the victim with a knife without intending to kill him,” the officer said.
The appellate ruling remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 28 days.
