Date set for murder trial

A security guard accused of killing a salon worker at their home in Al Twar in May is to go to court on Nov 25, a source close the case said.

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A security guard accused of killing a salon worker at their home in Al Twar in May is to go to court on Nov 25, a source close the case said. The defendant, identified by police and public prosecutors only as LOM, 33, a Filipino, is in custody at the Al Qusais police station. He will appear before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance for his first hearing, at which charges will be read, the court may assign him a lawyer, and witnesses will be summoned, a source said.

On May 5, the Dubai Public Prosecution charged LOM with premeditated murder and with drinking alcohol. The source said it took several months for the matter to be referred to the court because of the severity of the case. During the investigation, LOM denied deliberately stabbing the woman, a Filipina, the source said. The killing allegedly took place at 3am on May 2. The source said three men who shared the villa had witnessed the killing and that they said they tried to stop LOM from stabbing the woman.

The victim was alive when police arrived. She was taken to Rashid Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. The dead woman's remains arrived in the Philippines on May 19. The Philippine consulate in Dubai followed up the case with prosecutors in May. A consulate officer visited LOM in the police station to check on his condition after his arrest. He said LOM did not ask for legal assistance from the Philippine government, but wanted a speedy trial.

rruiz@thenational.ae