Life in jail for man who killed compatriot with meat cleaver

DUBAI // A man who killed his compatriot by striking him on the head with a meat cleaver after getting into an argument has been sentenced to life in jail.

The 22-year-old Pakistani attacked the victim, whose age was not in court records, at his room at Dubai Municipality’s labour accommodation in Al Muhaisnah 2 on January 23 this year.

Dubai Criminal Court heard the killer would often visit the victim and sleep in his room. On the night of the murder the two men argued after the victim told the defendant not to come back.

The killer grabbed a meat cleaver while the victim picked up a knife. The fight ended when the victim collapsed after being struck on the head, neck and chest with the cleaver.

He died in the ambulance on the way to hospital. Police arrived at the room and found the 22-year-old suffering from stab wounds.

Officers also found the bloodied meat cleaver in the room.

The defendant denied killing his compatriot intentionally when he appeared in court last March. However, he was charged with premeditated murder and jailed.

He will be deported after serving his prison term. The verdict can be appealed within 15 days.