3 men get 3-year term for theft, assault

sharjah — The Sharjah Criminal Court has sentenced three Africans to three years in jail to be followed by deportation.

The court had found the three accused guilty after they were charged with stealing mobile phones and money from a grocery store in the Sharjah Industrial area after assaulting the seller.

The prosecution confirmed that the three defendants prepared and planned for the theft on February 8. They entered the shop by breaking the door. They stole four mobile phones and money and also assaulted the salesman. The victim said that he was surprised when three Africans entered the grocery store with knives hidden behind their clothes. They threatened him and robbed money and phones in his possession and also beat him up.

When the accused were confronted with charges in the court, they confessed to the theft but said they did not break the door.

In another case, the Sharjah Criminal Court sentenced a young African man to six months in prison for stealing five mobile recharge cards and two perfume boxes from a grocery store in the industrial area.

The shopkeeper said that he knows the convict and the CCTV cameras in the shop caught the theft incident. The suspect was arrested by a police patrol. He confessed to the police and guided them to the supermarket from where he stole items.

However, while being confronted by the judge, he said the accusations were incorrect and that his confessions during the interrogation were due to pressure and torture.