Abu Dhabi man who ran over and killed boy over prank gets 15 years

ABU DHABI // A man who ran over and killed a 12-year-old boy he mistakenly blamed for throwing rubbish into his car has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The Criminal Court also ordered SHB, from Pakistan, to pay Dh200,000 in blood money and Dh20,000 in civil compensation to the boy's parents. Throughout the trial the boy's parents insisted the court issue a death sentence, and refused to pardon him or accept blood money.

However, the man was convicted of manslaughter, not premeditated murder, and such a charge cannot be punished with death.

SHB drove after the boy, Hazaa Khaled, after being teased by a number of 15-year-olds who had thrown rubbish into his car while he was parked in Musaffah. He mistakenly believed Hazaa to be part of this group.

In court he claimed that he accidentally ran into Hazaa after the boy ran in front of his car.

hdajani@thenational.ae