Man who was caught for shoplifting jailed

dubai — A British man, who assaulted a police officer and clicked his photo with his mobile phone after he was caught shoplifting, has been sentenced to six months in jail.

According to court documents, the 47-year-old man tried to steal three perfume bottles, two golf ball boxes and three alcohol bottles worth Dh2,375 from the Duty Free at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport on December 21 last year.

The Court of First Instance found him guilty of charges including resisting, physically assaulting and verbally abusing an on-duty police sergeant; breaching the privacy of that officer; attempted theft; damage of public property and consuming alcohol without a licence. It ordered his deportation at the end of his jail term.

The defendant tore the victim’s jacket, which belonged to his workplace.

He admitted during the public prosecution investigation that he had consumed alcohol and stole the items from the Duty Free. He also confessed he assaulted the police officer.

A photo of the officer in his uniform was found in the defendant’s mobile phone and it was taken on December 21, 2017. “I was on duty when the accused was brought to the police office at the airport on charges of theft and consuming alcohol. I suddenly spotted him taking a photo of mine with his mobile phone.”

The officer added that as he snatched the phone from the defendant, the latter slapped him on the arm and face and also pulled him by his uniform jacket. “He also insulted me. I booked him until the arrival of other officers.”

A Filipino security officer, 35, said: “I was on duty at the surveillance camera room when a security guard called to tell me to keep a close eye on the accused, who was acting suspiciously and trying to shoplift. I zoomed in on him and he was indeed stealing a perfume bottle.”

During police questioning, the accused confessed he was agitated and drunk when he assaulted the officer.