Dubai: A porter has been jailed for three months for stealing food from passengers’ luggage despite having claimed he took the food because he was hungry.
The 23-year-old Pakistani porter, B.A. said he got hungry after 10-hours of non-stop work when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
“I got very hungry after working for 10 hours non-stop. I still had two more hours to finish my shift. I was spotted opening a luggage in search for something to eat,” argued the defendant when he entered a guilty plea and sought leniency.
Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat convicted B.A. of attempting to steal unidentified personal belongings from luggage of owners.
Records said security guards at Dubai International Airport’s luggage belts spotted B.A. opening passengers’ bags, but no stolen items were seized in his possession.
When asked why he opened the bags if he did not steal anything, the accused contended: “I had two more hours to finish my shift, but I felt very hungry. I opened bags and searched for food. Suddenly I felt guilty and realised my behaviour was bad. I immediately closed the bag.
“I did not take anything.”
An Indian security supervisor said a staffer claimed he saw the defendant searching the luggage with an intent to steal.
“B.A. admitted he did search the luggage in front of someone, but I don’t recall his name. I saw the video footage showing a person searching the luggage, but I could not make sure whether it was the suspect or somebody else.”
A policeman said B.A. had been searching the luggage of passengers travelling to Hyderabad.
“I lost my job and I have been borrowing money from friends to survive. I am in debt and I am seeking mercy and forgiveness,” the defendant told the court.
Thursday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
