A gang of raiders who attacked and tied up a security guard before stealing Dh250,000 worth of electrical cables from a warehouse in Dubai have a bid to cut their jail sentences rejected.
The four men were each locked up for three years after being convicted of charges of armed robbery, confinement and assault.
They lodged an appeal against the severity of their sentences, which was rejected by Dubai Court of Appeal.
On June 25 last year, one of the offender approached the security guard to ask if he could sit outside the warehouse to escape the summer heat until his friends arrived.
When his three accomplices turned up, the group dragged the Pakistani guard into a toilet and restrained him with ropes.
The victim, 27, tried to chew his way out of his restraints and eventually managed to free himself and alert police.
"I asked him to leave and told him it's not allowed for strangers to sit in front of the warehouse but he kept stalling and calling his friends asking them to bring lunch for me. I told him I can't accept it, but suddenly his friends showed up. Two of them restrained me and the others beat me up before dragging me to the toilet and tying me up with ropes," said the guard.
Three hours later he managed to untie himself and discovered that the warehouse's doors were forced open and electric cables worth hundred of thousands of dirhams stolen.
"I called police, the warehouse supervisor and the manager as well," he said.
Police arrested the four men the next month.
The Pakistani men, aged between 27 and 37, said during police questioning that they entered the country through Fujairah from Oman.
They told police they worked in Sharjah before deciding to rob the warehouse in Al Quoz, which they came to know about through a friend.
"They sold the cables in Abu Dhabi and split the profit. Three of them said the 31-year-old defendant was the mastermind behind the robbery," said a policeman, 40.
All four denied an armed robbery charge in Dubai Criminal and Appeal Courts.
Three of them denied physical assault and confinement charges.
They will be deported after serving their terms.
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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SUNDAY'S ABU DHABI T10 MATCHES
Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
