Thief facing 139 charges 'needed money for parents'

A former employee of Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities is facing 139 charges at the Dubai Criminal Court.

SM, 34, a Tunisian, is charged with forging 31 labour cards, seven salary certificates, 86 credit cards and using the department stamps for personal use. He is accused of using forged documents to withdraw Dh205,000 from Dubai Bank, Emirates NBD, Union National Bank, First Gulf Bank and Barclays.

In yesterday's session, the defendant denied all charges. He told the judge there was no complaint against him from the banks to the police. He asked for a grace period to find a lawyer.

According to the Public Prosecution, SM committed four crimes against his former department, one against Jafza, six against Dubai Bank, 13 against Dubai First, five against Emirates NBD, five against the Union National Bank, 93 against the First Gulf Bank, 18 against HSBC and four against Barclays.

The defendant confessed to the Public Prosecution that he took the department stamp and used it in making a salary certificate. He said he obtained copies of passports from internet cafes where users have failed to delete them. He justified crimes by saying he needed the money because his parents are cancer patients.

Verdicts

Dubai Criminal Court yesterday issued prison and deportation sentences against a number of defendants charged in various cases:

- The court sentenced MG, 26, a Pakistani tailor, to five years in prison followed by deportation for beating his wife to death.

The tailor, who beat her with a plastic hose until she fell to the ground and fainted, did so after he asked her to feed her baby more than once and she refused.

- In another case, SR, 30, was given a one-month sentence followed by deportation for intruding into the home of his neighbour HJ, 41, and attempting to assault her.

- Sentences were also handed down to three Bangladeshi nationals accused of forging 12 visit visas.

AA, 28, a tailor, was given one year and deportation.

The second, MR, 34, unemployed, received six months followed by deportation from the country while the third, MJ, 34, a technician, was acquitted.