DUBAI // A disgruntled husband was charged yesterday with burning down his sister-in-law's house and burning his wife's car during a crime spree shortly after his release from jail. AH, a 32-year-old Iraqi, was also charged with trespassing into his sister-in-law's house in the Mirdiff area, damaging her property and endangering her life and that of a police officer. Police said the accused had vowed vengeance against his wife, RK, 27, for causing him to be sent to jail, court records show. The man has pleaded not guilty.
He allegedly broke into his sister-in-law's house, which is next to his wife's house in Mirdiff, on October 20 and started a fire in a bedroom. The man's wife told prosecutors that she saw a light coming from her sister's house at about 1am but did not pay attention to it. She said she then heard an explosion and rushed into the street to find a police patrol car. The parolee allegedly jumped a wall to his wife's house, broke into her car and drove the car towards his wife and a police officer before swerving and speeding off, barely missing them.
The car was later found burnt out. AF, the brother-in-law of the accused, told prosecutors that Dh500,000 (US$136,000) in damage was done to his house. The case was adjourned until April 14. @Email:amustafa@thenational.ae
