DUBAI // The five-year sentences handed down to two unemployed men for breaking into the apartment of five women, threatening them with swords and then robbing them, have been reduced on appeal.
The Filipina victims were in their living room on March 7 last year when four or five men broke open their front door. Two men stood guard with the women with swords pointed at their necks while the others ransacked the flat.
In June, Dubai Criminal Court convicted Emirati M A, 29, and Yemeni A M, 28, of armed robbery and sentenced each to five years in jail. The Yemeni will be deported after his jail term.
Prosecutors said they stole Dh19,800 in cash, US$100 (Dh367), an iPhone, a BlackBerry and jewellery.
Filipina victim N L, 27, said it was nearly 7pm when the men broke into the flat in Naif armed with two swords.
“Two of them took me and my flatmates to a room where they watched us and kept the swords to our necks while the others robbed the place,” she said.
N L ran into a room, locked herself in and tried to call police but the gang broke the door down and took the phone away, before continuing the robbery.
One of the gang bumped into the broken door as he left the flat, cutting his hand and leaving blood that led to his arrest, said policeman Q T, 32.
The Yemeni suspect was also found to be in the UAE illegally, having returned after a previous deportation.
Dubai Court of Appeal reduced both the jail terms to a year but upheld the deportation against A M. No reason was given for the sentence reduction.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Artist: Linkin Park
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Number of tracks: 11
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Install an air filter in your home.
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Shower or bath after being outside.
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
