Bootlegger imprisoned for trying to bribe policeman

Dubai: A bootlegger was jailed for three months yesterday after a court found him guilty of offering Dh50,000 in bribe to a policeman in return for not booking him for possessing and selling liquor.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the Filipino of trying to bribe a government employee.

Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout, who pronounced the verdict, also said the accused, A.V., 28, would be deported after serving his jail term.

The accused earlier pleaded not guilty.

According to the Yemeni first corporal, the suspect offered him a bribe of Dh30,000 in cash and Dh20,000 in cheques when he caught him bootlegging red-handed.

"I am not guilty. I didn't offer him bribe," said A.V. when he defended himself in court.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendant with attempting to bribe the 23-year-old first corporal.

"A.V. refused to pull over when I suspected him and asked him to pull over. I chased him until he stopped in one of the parking areas," the officer testified.

"He tried to run away when I asked him for his personal documents. I stopped him after a short chase. I saw from the window plenty of bags, which the accused admitted conttained alcohol. He admitted that he possessed the liquor for trading purposes. The duty officer ordered me to confiscate the car and bring the suspect and the car to the police station," said the first corporal.

"The defendant was arrested in a sting operation. We seized Dh23,900 of the bribe money," said the Yemeni. An Omani first policeman confirmed the statement.

The verdict is subject to appeal within 15 days.