3 robbers who assaulted Dubai residents at 'massage flat' jailed

Dubai - One of the Vietnamese residents, 26, said he shared the flat in Al Baraha with two men and four women.

Three Egyptians, who stormed into a shared flat and robbed the residents of Dh8,000, watches and mobile phones, were each sentenced to two years in jail by a Dubai court on Sunday.
The three men, including two clerks and a jobless, were found by the Court of First Instance guilty of forced robbery for the incident that dates back to December 30, 2015 in Al Muraqqabat, and ordered to be deported on completion of their jail terms.
Prosecutors accused them of slapping the complainants, using sticks and making away with Dh8,000 in cash, mobile phones and other valuables.
One of the Vietnamese residents, 26, said he shared the flat in Al Baraha with two men and four women, all Vietnamese. "I was sleeping when I heard a knock on the door after midnight. It was an Egyptian man who knew a female flatmate. The man went out few minutes later and then came back with two others. They started to take mobile phones and cash by force."
After the women screamed for help, Vietnamese neighbours came in, which prompted the thieves to break a window and run away, the resident said.
The defendants were caught by the cops after the security guard called the police.
However, the three men had a different account of what happened that night.
A police sergeant told the prosecutor they were alerted at 3:30am about the robbery incident. "When we reached the scene, we found the suspects arrested and inside a police patrol car. One of them was seriously injured in his shoulder and was bleeding profusely while his accomplice had a minor injury. They were taken to hospital."
The officer added: "They claimed one of them had gone to that flat to get massage but he sought their help (his friends) after he lost his mobile phone and Dh100. The accused claimed they were assaulted with swords by several Asian people at that flat."
The trio can appeal the verdict within 15 days from the issuance date.

• Dubai