DUBAI // A man who claimed an attempt to shoot his cousin with a rifle was "a joke" was yesterday sentenced to eight months in jail.
AS, a 21-year-old Emirati student was playing on his PlayStation with a number of friends when his cousin, the unemployed 25-year-old JR, turned up at his house drunk.
"He started making problems with everyone in the room," said the student, adding that he asked his cousin to leave. His cousin initially refused but was eventually forced to go. However, he returned half an hour later and knocked on the now-locked door of the student's room.
When the student opened the door his cousin pointed a rifle at his head.
The student pushed the rifle upwards and a gun shot hit his wardrobe. The student and his friends then called police.
The cousin's lawyer Saeed Al Ghilani told the Criminal Court that it was the student's fault the rife fired.
"My client did not mean to shoot but when [the student] pulled the gun up, he forced the gun to fire," said Mr Al Ghilani.
"The two of them were joking with each other when [the student] kicked my client out of the house. [JR] brought the gun but did not intend to fire it or else he would have done so the moment he opened the door," added Mr Al Ghilani.
He said that the student had signed a waiver which proved the cousin was not guilty of attempted murder, as the prosecution alleged.
The cousin admitted possessing charges but denied attempted murder and a charge of posing a risk to life. His lawyer said that one of the guns was given to his father by a sheikh and that when his father died the gun was not returned.
He was sentenced to six months for attempted murder and posing a risk to life and a further two months for possessing two rifles - an A.301 P. Beretta and an RS 800 - and ammunition without a licence.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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