Worker stabs man in a fight over a cart

dubai — A 21-year-old labourer, who allegedly stabbed a countryman in the chest in a brawl over cart, was charged with attempted murder on Wednesday.

The Pakistani man denied the charge at the Court of First Instance. He claimed he had acted in self-defence.

The incident was reported on January 16 at Al Rashidiyah police station.

“I was at work around 8pm at the Fruits and Vegetables Market, while loading goods from the company vehicle to a cart to transport it to the shop. I was taken unawares when I saw the accused whipping out a knife and telling me that it was his cart. I told him it was not true but he then pushed me away from the cart,” said the 24-year-old victim, who works in packing and wrapping.

The two men then engaged in a fisticuff, during which the defendant stabbed the victim in the chest.

“I removed the knife from his hands and threw it away. We then exchanged blows and stopped only after people stepped in. But I then saw blood on my shirt and sat down. I passed out and woke up seven days later at the hospital,” the victim told the prosecutor.

He added he could not move normally ever since and that he feels pain in his chest and that his heartbeats have increased.

A medical report showed the victim underwent a life-saving heart surgery.

The stabbing the victim received could have been fatal as it caused deep ruptures in the chest and near his heart, resulting in severe internal bleeding, according to the forensic report.

During public prosecution investigation, the accused admitted to having stabbed the victim in the chest. The trial has been adjourned to May 2.

mary@khaleejtimes.com