Man in court over race camel 'theft'

ABU DHABI // A Sudanese man was charged with stealing a racing camel and selling the animal for about Dh7,000, a criminal court heard yesterday. AM claimed he took the camel because his Saudi employer could not pay him money he needed, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance was told. An Emirati brought the case to court, but AM said he did not know the plaintiff. The farm in Al Wathba where he worked belonged to a Saudi. AM denied stealing the camel when he appeared before the court.

"But you confessed to police that you stole the camel," Chief Justice Saeed Abdul Baseer said. "He told me to take the camel, I did not steal it," AM told Justice Abdul Baseer after the judge read his confessions to police. He testified that his employer owed him 500 Saudi riyals (Dh490) and AM needed the cash to pay Bangladeshis who helped on the farm. "He told me to come back at eight in the evening to get the money," AM said. "He then told me to come back in the morning but he also did not come."

According to AM, the employer told him after further delays: "I do not have the money, go and sell the camel." AM said he sold the camel in Abu Dhabi. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison. The judge adjourned the case until August 10, when a verdict is expected. hhassan@thenational.ae