DUBAI // A carpenter threatened a taxi driver with a knife over a Dh50 fare, a court heard this morning.
Prosecutors charged the 46-year-old SP, from China, with threatening to commit a crime. He confessed to the charges before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance and awaits a verdict.
MORE UAE NEWS: Our pick of today's top local news stories
Last Updated: June 23, 2011
Universities to start year with Dh428m funds shortfall Institutions claim the funding system requires urgent changes as three of the country's largest universities face major shortages at the start of the academic year. Read
Fuel pumps to restart or Enoc, Eppco ordered to close in Sharjah Emirate's rulers announce ultimatum to Enoc after Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed directs Adnoc to adress the month-long shortage. Read article
Dubai Zoo debate heats up The 20,000 square metre park is constantly criticised, with even officials admitting animals have hardly any space to enjoy. Read article
Expatriates reveal why they adopt national dress and customs Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but Emiratis say expatriates who adopt their customs and clothing should also conform to the behaviour expected of nationals. Read article
About 2am on January 17, SP got into to a taxi on Bani Yas Road and told the driver to take him to the International City's Chinese cluster, records show.
SS, a Pakistani taxi driver, told prosectors he went there but SP seemed clueless about the location of his home.
"I stopped the car when the meter got to Dh50," SS testified.
SP said he would get the money from his apartment because he ddid not have his wallet, but SS insisted that he be paid immediately.
At that point, SP lost his temper and drew a knife, pointing it at SS's belly, prosecutors say.
"You want the money now?" SP allegedly told him in a threatening tone.
When SP got out of the taxi, SS called police, who arrested SP.
A Dubai police officer testified that SP had been drinking alcohol that night.
"When I searched him, I found a medium-size knife hidden under his left jacket sleeve," the officer said.
salamir@thenational.ae
