A man who broke into a woman's car and stole three phones to obtain images of her to use in a blackmail plot has been given a three-year jail sentence.
The French citizen, who was tried in his absence, threatened to share the personal photographs of his compatriot, found on phones belonging to her friend, if she didn't pay him Dh4,000.
The victim, 30, said she received several threats on WhatsApp from the offender between September 28 and October 6 last year demanding she hand over the sum of money.
“I had left for France and kept my car with a friend, then discovered the accused took it without permission,” she said.
“He stole my friend’s three mobile phones from inside the vehicle. He also insulted me using strong language and damaged my car.”
At Dubai Criminal Court on Wednesday, the man was convicted of issuing threats and insults, damaging property and theft.
Neither the nature of the relationship between him and the victim nor the reason for him demanding money were disclosed in court.
The man is to be deported after serving his prison term.