A European woman has been fined Dh5,000 and ordered to pay Dh10,000 in compensation after she was convicted of stealing a gold necklace from a Dubai retail store earlier this year. The incident occurred in March when a sales clerk noticed a necklace missing after the woman left the store. Surveillance footage later revealed her placing the necklace into her handbag before walking out.
Following the store manager’s report, police reviewed the footage and identified the suspect by the vehicle she was driving. The woman was arrested after investigators tracked her down.
During her interrogation, the woman confessed to taking the necklace but claimed that she did not intend to steal it. She explained that she had been in a hurry after receiving news of her sister’s death. Her lawyer argued that there was no criminal intent behind the act. However, the court dismissed this defence, stating that the video evidence clearly showed her deliberately stealing the item.
The court found her guilty and imposed a fine of Dh5,000, in addition to ordering her to pay the value of the stolen necklace.
For those interested in Dubai’s retail scene, this case highlights the importance of security measures and vigilance in preventing theft. On a broader scale, it also underscores the legal consequences of even seemingly unintentional acts. For more on Dubai’s evolving gold market, read here.
