Jobless man gets jail for killing compatriot

Dubai: A jobless man has been jailed for three years after a court convicted him on charges of knife assault resulting in the death of his Sri Lankan compatriot during a drinking binge.

The Dubai Court of First Instance found the 21-year-old Sri Lankan man, C.R., guilty of assault which led to the death of C.N. following a heated argument.

Presiding Judge Fahmi Mounir, who announced Sunday's verdict, said the accused will be deported after completing the sentence. The court also acquitted S.R., 22, C.R.'s elder brother, of aiding and abetting a crime.

"I am not guilty. The victim grabbed a knife and wanted to assault me. I acted in self defence and he accidentally injured himself," said C.R. defending himself in the court.

S.R. also pleaded innocence saying he tried to break up the fight.

The victim's wife testified that the brothers were consuming liquor with their housemate Ajit in a villa in Satwa.

"A heated argument erupted between Ajit and the brothers before it evolved into a fight. C.R. grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Ajit in the stomach. C.N. tried to stop the assault. Then C.R. stabbed him in the neck before my husband collapsed on the floor and the brothers fled," claimed the wife.

A policeman said the wife had informed them that the brothers had gone to a hospital for treatment.

"We rushed to the hospital and arrested the suspects, who were treating their palms for knife cuts they incurred during the fight," said the policeman.

The verdict is subject to appeal within 15 days.