Man gets life for killing business partner

Dubai: A man who stabbed his business partner and pushed her out of a first-floor window before stabbing her again to make sure she was dead has been jailed for life after losing his appeal.

The 50-year-old Filipino businessman, R.A., invited his countrywoman business partner, L.V., to his Karama flat as he had convinced a Korean businessman to become their partner. She and the defendant had a heated argument over money before R.A. stabbed her to death.

“The court has cancelled the defendant’s 15-year imprisonment and he will have to serve a life sentence. The deportation order has been upheld as well,” said presiding judge Eisa Al Sharif at the Dubai Appeal Court on Sunday.

Records said the victim’s body was found in the boot of her car, which was abandoned in Sharjah Industrial Area 11, six days after her husband reported her missing on August 26, 2012.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty and said she had jumped out of the window.

Prosecution records said R.A. grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed L.V., who tried to defend herself.

The victim’s husband said when he returned home from work he couldn’t find his wife or her car.

“I was asked to go to Sharjah Police where I was asked about the relationship between R.A. and L.V. I told them that he owed my wife money and that she kept his passport in her possession as a guarantee...he had given my wife cheques because he owed her money,” said the husband.

A police captain said the defendant had financial disputes with the victim.

“During questioning, R.A. alleged that he had pulled his children from school due to his bad financial situation that was imposed on him because of the money he owed L.V.,” he said.

The ruling remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.