DUBAI // A Lebanese couple were sentenced to five years in jail after an elderly Saudi man was attacked with pepper spray in his villa and robbed of cash and a Rolex watch.
The husband and wife confessed to theft charges when they appeared at Dubai Criminal Court earlier this month but claimed they were only taking their own money back.
S K, 38, said that he and his wife S A, 40, did not go to the man’s villa with the intention to steal. “We went on a visit and spoke about our money, which he took. He refused to give it back so we argued and I sprayed him with chilli pepper spray,” said S K.
Prosecutors said S K stole Dh143,000 and US$11,010 (Dh40,440) in cash as well as a golden key chain and a Rolex watch valued at Dh20,000 from 75-year-old A A.
At 1pm on the day of the incident, S A sent S K a text message informing him she had left the victim’s villa along with his driver but had left a door open.
“I entered the villa and was surprised to see A A. I did not expect that he would have the power to resist since he was old but he grabbed me so I sprayed him with pepper then tied his hands and legs,” S K told prosecutors.
He then asked A A about the location of the safe and its key.
“He refused to tell me but S A had told me where to find it so I opened it up and took the money,” said S K. Records show he also took A A’s watch.
S K was arrested as he was boarding a plane to Lebanon. S A was charged with aiding and abetting her husband. Both will be deported after completing their jail terms. The verdict is subject to appeal within 15 days.
salamir@thenational.ae
