DUBAI // An Egyptian man who wrecked the bowling centre where he worked after his employer refused to give him a residency visa has been jailed for three months.
After hearing that his boss would not change his visit visa to a work visa, the 27-year-old smashed windows, doors, tables, a computer, bathroom sinks and televisions. He also set fire to chairs.
The damage to the Dubai Bowling Centre was estimated at Dh156,250.
The court heard that a security guard caught the Egyptian committing arson at about 2am on February 2. After failing to restrain the man, the guard called the police.
“He was smashing a lot of things, then he poured a liquid on some of the chairs and set them ablaze,” said the guard.
Police and firefighters were called to the bowling centre in Al Quoz. “We saw him as he was damaging the place when we got there,” said a 38-year-old policeman.
The Egyptian said he was angry at the prospect of having to pay the fines for overstaying his visa.
He will be deported after completing his sentence.
tzriqat@thenational.ae