Man avoids possible death sentence

Dubai: A defendant avoided a possible death sentence after a court on Sunday reduced his premeditated murder charge to assault leading to death and jailed him for two years.

"The 20-year-old Algerian defendant, R.A., will have to spend two years in jail after the jury found him guilty of assault which led to death," said Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout when he pronounced the ruling.

R.A. earlier pleaded not guilty and denied murdering a 60-year-old Arab national with a kitchen knife.

"I am not guilty ... I didn't kill or intend to kill him. It was an ordinary fight," R.A. said before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

R.A. is to be deported after completing his jail term.

Records said a policeman impersonated the victim, who later died, by using his mobile phone to call the suspect and lure him to a hospital, where he was arrested.

The policeman testified that when the Algerian answered he said: "I am sorry, I am sorry H.M. [the victim's name]. Have you reported it to the police?" Records quoted the policeman replying: "No, I am getting treatment at the hospital. Come and visit me."

Medical reports confirmed the victim died of his injuries 30 days after being stabbed, although doctors operated on him several times.

The initial judgment is still subject to appeal within 15 days.