Farmer jailed for supermarket theft

A farmer who hid inside a supermarket until it closed to steal 25 cartons of cigarettes will be jailed.

The 44-year-old Afghan farmer, identified as B.S., will have to spend three months in prison before he gets deported.

The General Prosecution charged him with stealing 25 cartons of a brand of cigarettes, 30 bottles of perfume and Dh400 in cash.

A few weeks ago, the supervisor of the supermarket reported to police that someone had stolen the goods and the cash from the shop and disappeared.

After investigations, the police lifted some fingerprints from the supermarket's back door. Upon examination, it was found that the fingerprints resembled that of the farmer. The 44-year-old was arrested and brought in for questioning.

After having his house searched, the police found some tools and a small saw that are used by thieves for breaking an entry.

A DNA test confirmed that the fingerprints found at the scene of the crime were the Afghan's. But the accused denied the charges in his statement.

The supervisor told police the farmer had painted the supermarket's back door about four months prior to the incident. The Dubai Court of First Instance then handed down the sentence.