Expat stands trial for possessing stolen watch

dubai — An expatriate stood trial at a Dubai court for allegedly possessing a rare limited edition watch that was stolen.

The 35-year-old British salesman faced a charge of possessing a stolen property while being aware of it, although not involved in the theft. Public prosecution records show he had purchased the watch at his homeland and then sold it here to another party for Dh572,000. He denied the charge at the Court of First Instance. The case dates back to May 13 and was registered at Al Barsha police station.

A police lieutenant said they received a report about a theft incident in Jumeirah Islands at noon on February 13. The police learned from the complainant how he was threatened to be killed, along with the maid, if they moved or screamed. “After the thieves left, he called his brother who owned the flat.

They found out that over 13 watches, worth Dh4 million in total, were stolen.”

The lieutenant told the prosecutor that they formed a CID task force to swiftly trace down the thieves before they could dispose of the watches. “Through one of our secret sources, we learned a Jordanian man possessed one of the stolen items. He claimed to us he had purchased it in April from a Briton for Dh572,000. He said he was then given a warrant paper and a purchase receipt.”

The police arrested the Briton on September 3 in connection with the case at a hotel in Al Jaddaf area. “He confessed he had sold the watch to the Jordanian at the car showroom. He also alleged he did not have any information on that person.” The trial has been adjourned to November 4.