10-yr-jail for editor who killed wife

NATION

dubai — A Dubai-based British editor on trial for murdering his wife was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in jail on Sunday.

The Court of First Instance presided by Judge Fahd Al Shamsi pronoinced the verdict and ordered the journalist be deported after serving his sentence.

Earlier, the defence lawyer Ali Al Shamsi requested the court to modify his client’s charge from premeditated murder to assault.

Al Shamsi presented his defence arguments stressing that his 61-year-old client did not have the intention to kill his wife, 62.

“There is no premeditation element in the case. The court listened earlier to three witnesses from the family who ascertained the couple had been leading a happy life.

“The forensic report also proved that there was no prior intention or any determination to kill the victim. My client assaulted his wife and it happened following a heated argument over some financial difficulties. He hit his wife but did not intend to kill her,” Al Shamsi told the judges.

Al Shamsi also presented the

There is no premeditation element in the case. The forensic report also proved that there was no prior intention.” Ali Al Shamsi, defence lawyer

court with a waiver signed by the couple’s son. The waiver was duly attested by the Dubai Shariah Court and it clearly stated that he relinquished his right to pursue the case against his father.

The lawyer pleaded for the court to take into consideration extenuating circumstances towards his client when sentencing him.

The case dates back to July 4, 2017, when the editor called the police to report that his wife was killed by thieves who broke into his villa in Umm Suqeim 1 while he was away.

However, the police found leads that suggested foul play. They confronted the editor with their findings and he eventually confessed to having hit his wife to death with a hammer.

The verdict can be appealed within the legal deadline.