DUBAI // An airport customer service team leader was given a suspended jail term for stealing a pencil and a necklace worth Dh607 for his ill wife.
Dubai Criminal Court sentenced the 39-year-old Egyptian to six months in jail but ordered the suspension of the sentence.
The man was charged with theft from a crew member of a Chinese airline at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, which he denied last month in court.
On April 9, the crew member reported the theft and an investigation led to the Egyptian.
“The Chinese victim, 32, told us that he bought the items from duty free and forgot the bag at the gate before boarding,” said a policeman, 30.
CCTV cameras showed the Egyptian, who was helping the crew member board passengers, open the bag before putting the receipt in one pocket and the items in the other.
He was then arrested and admitted to police that he took the items to give to his wife as a gift because she was in hospital in Egypt, where he was due to fly in the coming days.
Witnesses said the defendant had been working at the airport for more than 10 years and is known to be a decent man.
salamir@thenational.ae