DUBAI // A Dubai Duty Free employee accused of stealing money at work told a court that he had no choice but to steal because his father urgently needed life-saving surgery.
“I admit to this mistake but it’s my first mistake,” said the 32-year-old Moroccan, who was arrested as he tried to leave the country from Abu Dhabi airport.
“I haven’t done anything [illegal] all through my years at work.”
Prosecutors said that on April 1, the defendant collected the takings from his section at Dubai Duty Free, at Dubai airport, then went to the toilet where he pocketed Dh22,778 before handing the rest to the accountant.
“I only took the amount needed for my father’s surgery, and I wouldn’t have done it if it was not an emergency. This was the only thing I could do to get the money,” he said.
A Dubai airport security officer received a call from the accountant about the missing money.
“I checked the cameras and saw the defendant checking the profit then putting it in a bag and heading to the restroom,” said the Egyptian security officer.
Police arrested him at Abu Dhabi airport when he was trying to fly to Morocco, and recovered the money.
At Dubai Criminal Court yesterday he admitted to a charge of theft.
salamir@thenational.ae
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
The UAE's journey to space
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
