Jailed burglars lose appeal bid

DUBAI // Four men jailed for two years after a burglary on a British tourist’s villa have lost their appeal bid against their sentences.

Three Emiratis and a Jordanian aged between 22 and 45 were convicted of armed robbery by Dubai Criminal and Appeal Courts.

On October 7 last year, the tourist, 58, arrived on a visit.

The oldest of the burglars drove the other three to her villa and waited in the car while the others broke in. She was in the bedroom unpacking when she saw the masked men carrying swords.

She was ordered to sit in the corner of the room then told to hand over all the cash she had. But when she gave them all the money from her purse, one of the thieves demanded more. The men threatened to cut her into pieces unless she gave them her jewellery. She told them it was in her bags, which they grabbed before threatening to kill her if she screamed.

Dogs barking alerted a friend who saw the men leaving the villa with the bags, which contained gold and diamond pieces and £23.60 (Dh110), Dh700 and two mobile phones.

One of the thieves was arrested as a suspect in a rape case. Police found swords in his possession and clothing similar to that described by the victim. They questioned him about the robbery and he told them about his accomplices. They said the men had pieces of the stolen jewellery.

The Jordanian, 23, will be deported after serving his term.