Worker stole Dh600,000 in animal feed, court hears

DUBAI // A 45-year-old sales manager this morning denied stealing more than Dh600,000 in livestock fodder from his American employer.

The defendant NM, from Jordan, told Judge Jamal al Jubaily at the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours that he honoured an agreement between him and his employer, who personally asked him to sell the feed because of a lack of storage space.

The employer, KJ, 45, filed a report against NM last year after he discovered the fodder missing from a farm in Al Dhaid.

According to records, NM had taken more than two tonnes of feed.

The fodder was imported from the United States after an agreement with Al Ain Corporation.

NM testified that the fodder did not meet health and safety conditions, so Al Ain cancelled the agreement. He said KJ asked him to store the fodder.

He further testified that he placed the fodder in the Al Dhaid farm, where it remained for three months. But KJ did not pay the rental fees, which became a problem, he said.

“He told me to sell the fodder to whomever is interested at any cost and settle the rent,” NM told investigators.

Records said KJ started the company for importing and exporting US animal feed in 2008 and offered NM the position of sales manager.

NM resigned in 2010, after which KJ filed the case against him.

The court will reconvene on April 25 for witness testimony.

salamir@thenational.ae