Inmate jailed for causing Dh12,600 damage in cell

dubai — An inmate at the Central Prison has been sentenced to an additional three months in jail on an arson charge.

The 27-year-old Emirati inmate is believed to have started a fire inside his cell, using a battery and wires. He caused damage estimated at Dh12,600.

The Court of First Instance found him guilty of charges of arson, putting others’ lives at risk and damage of public property. The court ordered him to pay Dh12,600, worth of the damage.

A police corporal quoted the accused as admitting to having started the fire as he was upset after his demands, including transferring him to another cell, were not met.

“I was on duty around 3.35pm on May 11 last year when I spotted

I was on duty around 3.35pm on May 11 last year when I spotted on the surveillance camera thick smoke coming out from the defendant’s cell A police corporal

on the surveillance camera thick smoke coming out from the defendant’s cell,” said the officer during the investigation.

The defendant was then taken out from the cell. The Criminal Evidence report found that the fire broke out after the accused used a battery to ignite lit cigarette butts which he threw on clothes.

The accused underwent psychological evaluation at a hospital and was found to be mentally sane and responsible for his acts.

mary@khaleejtimes.com