DUBAI // The man accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old boy has denied being at the scene of the crime the night the child was sexually assaulted and strangled.
On Monday, the 48-year-old Jordanian, who is facing the death penalty, told Dubai Criminal Court he was not in Al Mamzar — and security camera footage would prove it.
In an earlier hearing, he had admitted the rape and murder of Obaida Al Aqrabawi, from Jordan, but denied kidnapping the boy.
In June, he stood before a packed court and admitted he strangled Obaida in Al Mamzar after raping him. "It happened," he told judges
On Monday, however, he told Dubai Criminal Court he did not confess to the murder of Obaida to CID.
He also said he did not take police to the crime scene, but was taken to the scene by police and asked if “the place reminded him of anything”.
“Al Mamzar is full of cameras and can prove my car was not seen there, your honour,” he said.
He also said he was a patient undergoing treatment for mental health issues in his home country.
He said: “I have a file as a patient in Al Rashid mental hospital in Jordan and you can contact them to make sure,” said the suspect.
Last week, prosecutors described the defendant as “a monster hiding behind a human face”.
Judges heard chief prosecutor Dr Ali Al Hosani describe a “hideous and horrible crime” that “shocked the nation”.
“This crime violated all the noble values of our community,” he said.
The defendant is charged with kidnapping a child, threats and physical abuse, rape and premeditated murder, drinking alcohol without a licence and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The defence lawyer, Omran Darweesh, said the murder charge should be reduced to assault that led to death.
“When the suspect grabbed the victim’s face, he did not have the intention to kill him,” he said.
“He wanted to silence the victim when he threatened to tell his father.”
He said his client had tried to kill himself on two occasions in 1999, proving he had unstable personality.
“In such circumstances we have to take all precautions when it comes to the suspect’s confession,” said Mr Darweesh.
Obaida was last seen about 6pm on May 20 in front of his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area, where he also lived.
The Jordanian boy’s body was found by Academic City Road in Al Warqa, Dubai, on May 22.
The verdict is expected on August 15.
salamir@thenational.ae
