Man given seven years for killing flatmate while making dinner in Dubai

The pair were chopping vegetables when their conversation got heated and the defendant stabbed the victim to death.

DUBAI // A man who stabbed his flatmate to death after the two had an argument was sentenced to seven years in jail by Dubai Criminal Court.

Defendant S K, 23, and his victim, J G, were helping a third flatmate make dinner on November 9 last year, the court was told.

The pair were chopping vegetables and chatting when the discussion became heated.

The third flatmate, R A, 32, testified that he was cooking at about 7.30pm when the others began to fight.

“Suddenly, the two started insulting each other, despite the fact they were just talking normally, then each one raised the knife in the face of the other,” he said. “I came in between them and tried to break up the fight.

“J G then put his knife on the table but S K did not and stabbed him on the left side of his chest.”

He said the victim ran to the workshop where he was employed, close to the flat, and informed his boss.

“He was bleeding heavily, so we called for an ambulance and we called police but S K had gone by then,” R A said. The victim was taken to Rashid Hospital but died soon after.

In court last April, S K denied premeditated murder. “I didn’t mean to kill him,” he said. “We were joking and then he assaulted me and we fought.”

He will be deported after serving his jail term.