Dubai: A construction worker has been jailed for 13 months for getting drunk and stabbing his co-worker after getting into a fight following a heated argument while they were having dinner.
The 22-year-old Indian worker drank heavily while having dinner with his countryman before they indulged in a heated argument in September 2016.
The worker then grabbed a kitchen knife, stabbed his co-worker in the stomach and caused him to bleed profusely.
The Dubai Court of First Instance jailed the defendant for one year for attempted murder and one month for drinking.
Presiding judge Urfan Omar said the accused will be deported following the completion of his jail term.
The workers’ supervisor at the labour accommodation in Al Ghusais, where the incident took place, restrained the construction worker and stopped him from absconding before handing him over to the police.
Swift medical intervention helped save the life of the co-worker who underwent several surgeries after he was rushed to hospital.
The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty and denied the accusation that he tried to kill his co-worker. He contended that he was chopping onions and having drinks when he had a heated discussion with his co-worker.
“The argument developed into a fight during which the victim fell over the knife and injured himself,” the defendant argued.
A 37-year-old Indian witness testified that the incident happened shortly after he went to bed.
“The accused and the co-worker were drinking and dining … shortly after I fell asleep, I woke up suddenly hearing loud cries. I looked in the direction from where I heard the commotion and saw the defendant holding a knife while the co-worker was injured and bleeding from his stomach. The victim walked towards the door wanting to leave but the accused chased him and wanted to assault him. I heard the 22-year-old calling the injured co-worker bad names and threatening to stab him again,” the witness said.
A policeman testified that Dubai Police’s operations room was informed about the incident at 9pm.
“Witnesses confirmed that the 22-year-old had stabbed the victim. Workers had him restrained before we arrived and took him into custody,” the policeman testified.
Thursday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
