Driver ‘stabbed 10 times by co-worker he had bus timing argument with’

The Jordanian driver is lucky to be alive after being stabbed in the neck and other parts of the body by an Egyptian colleague, Dubai court hears.

DUBAI // A bus driver was stabbed 10 times by a co-worker with whom he had argued about pick-up times, a court has heard.

The Jordanian driver, 35, told prosecutors that his company had changed the pick-up time from 4.30am to 4am to ensure workers were not late.

He said no one had complained about it except the Egyptian accused, 24.

“It was June 16 last year at nearly 4pm when we had the discussion and I told him it was the company’s decision, not mine, and the argument ended,” said the victim.

He said that on August 18 last year at 3.30pm, the defendant got on the bus and sat behind him.

“He started questioning me, asking if I went to Sharjah and met his brother and spoke badly about him,” the driver said.

“I told him I did no such thing and I don’t even know his brother.”

He said the man produced a knife and stabbed him in the neck and other parts, after which the driver passed out.

“I woke up at the hospital,” he said.

Police were contacted by a security guard who saw the attack.

“I was standing near the accommodation in Al Muhaisnah 2 when I saw the defendant stabbing the driver. I called police at once,” said the Pakistani guard, 25.

The defendant was not in court to enter a plea against a charge of attempted murder.

The next hearing at Dubai Criminal Court was scheduled for November 27.