Chef acquitted of theft charges, jailed for sneaking into employer’s house

Mohammed Yaseen, Staff Reporter

An Asian businessman accused his chef of stealing seafood worth Dhs15,000 and some cash from his house after quitting his job over a dispute between them.

The businessman told the police about the incident and the defendant was referred to the public prosecution.

The Court of First Instance acquitted the chef of the theft charge but convicted him of illegally entering his employer’s house without permission.

The court sentenced the chef to one month in jail to be followed by deportation and the ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The case dates back to last February when an Asian businessman filed a complaint in which he accused a chef working in his own house of stealing seafood worth Dhs15,000 and Dhs10,000 after quitting his job with him.

After conducting the necessary investigations and checking the home security cameras, it was found that the chef entered the house by climbing the outer wall, headed to a room he used to live in and then left the house.

The chef denied the charge of stealing seafood or any cash money from the house.

He said he entered the house to take his clothes and personal items after quitting his job.