DUBAI // A prostitute killed her sleeping client by setting him on fire after he refused to pay her, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Monday.
Bangladeshi Z M, 28, who denied premeditated at a hearing in June, told the court she left the house before the fire started. The former maid, who admitted stealing two phones and jewellery from the victim because she had not been paid, said it was the first time she had slept with a man for money.
The court was told that on April 3 last year police were alerted after the burnt remains of a body were found in a house in Al Muhaisnah.
Z M told prosecutors Indian B B, 25, offered her the chance to earn more money as a prostitute. She said she agreed to this and went with her compatriot R K, 25, to the house. “Then we slept with men and I stayed home with him [the victim] to have sex again,” Z M said.
CCTV footage showed Z M leaving the house three minutes before the fire alarm started. She was sentenced to 15 years in jail while R K was convicted of prostitution and B B of providing prostitutes to customers. Both denied the charges but were found guilty and given three-year sentences each. They will be deported after serving their jail terms.
salamir@thenational.ae
