Farm workers threatened to kill sponsor and stole sheep, court hears

Two cattle herders and a driver threatened to kill their sponsor 'like a sheep' and stole her cattle, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Tuesday.

DUBAI // Two cattle herders and a driver threatened to kill their sponsor “like a sheep” and stole a part of her flock, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Pakistanis TK, 33 and AP, 27, plotted with their countryman KK, 25, who is at large, and stole 15 sheep from their Emirati sponsor’s farm on August 27 last year.

Emirati SJ, 67, told prosecutors she visited her farm on the day of the incident along with her son and found that KK had not fixed an electric fence as requested.

“I told him I would cancel his visa if he did not want to remain in his job with me, after which the other two started threatening to kill me. AP told me he worked as a butcher before and would kill me like a sheep,” said the woman.

She added that she hurried out of the farm feeling frightened for her life but returned later that day after KK called her and informed her he had left work and the farm was unguarded.

“I went there and discovered 15 sheep worth Dh9,500 were missing so I called police,” said SJ.

Her 20-year-old son testified that his mother had tasked KK with fixing an electric generator at the farm but he did not. “When she mentioned cancelling his visa, the other two started screaming at her saying they would kill her and that they do not fear police,” said AA.

TK and AP denied charges of theft and issuing threats to kill when they appeared at the Dubai Criminal Court on Tuesday morning. “I am a God fearing man, if an egg was broken at the farm, I would replace it,” TK told the judges.

KK remains at large.

A verdict is expected on February 21.