Man jailed for pepper spray attack on businessman
A man has been jailed for three months after a court convicted him of using pepper spray on an Iraqi businessman in an attempt to rob him of Dh300,000.
Dubai: A man has been jailed for three months after a court convicted him of using pepper spray on an Iraqi businessman in an attempt to rob him of Dh300,000.
The Dubai Court of First Instance incriminated the 21-year-old Emirati, F.M., of attempted robbery although he pleaded not guilty and claimed that other suspects committed the crime.
According to the arraignment sheet, the defendant assaulted the 37-year-old Iraqi businessman, N.T., with pepper spray before snatching the money.
N.T. testified that the incident happened around 1 pm when he had gone with his partner and compatriot W.K. to collect money from a company. "My partner and I left the company and were heading back to my car," he claimed.
Records said W.K. chased down F.M. in the street and held on to him until police arrived. Prosecutors charged the accused with assault and attempted robbery.
Accused denies charges
"He attacked me from behind and snatched the money bag and escaped. W.K. stopped him after ten metres. They fought and W.K. managed to grab the money bag which ripped and part of the money fell to the ground. The suspect continued running with the remaining money."
W.K. phoned N.T. after ten minutes and informed him he had stopped F.M.
"I didn't attack or steal from anyone… a group of suspects attacked him. I was only accompanying them and the businessman assumed that I attacked him," argued F.M. when he defended himself in court.
The judgment is subject to appeal within 15 days.
