Hummer driver jailed for 10 years for road rage death

DEATH VERDICT: The driver of a Hummer that killed a British woman in Dubai has been handed a 10-year jail sentence. (AFP)

A young Emirati businessman who ran over a British woman with his Hummer was jailed for 10 years on Thursday and the vehicle he used in committing the crime was confiscated.

But the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance, in its ruling summary, ruled out any element of premeditation in the defendant’s actions.

The defendant, Omair Abdullah Eissa Thani Al Thani, aged 22, was found guilty of the murder of Katherine Wood, 52, who died from her injuries after being run over by the Hummer.

“It is a very disappointing ruling, I was hoping for a harsher penalty,” said her husband, Jeffery Wood in comments published by UAE daily The National on Thursday.

She had arrived at the Aviation Club in Garhoud on the evening of May 30 with her husband and friends and was getting out of a taxi when the driver of the Hummer behind them became angry at being kept waiting and got involved in an argument with one of the group.

The Emirati businessman then drove past the taxi, according to the prosecution, and reversed on to the pavement, crushing her.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Hummer Accident
Posted by Tom, Dubai, UAE on Monday 15 December 2008 at 18:51 UAE time

This is stupid, how can you change the story firstly for a fact they were shouting abuse at the Emarati driver, and he accidentally ran over her once!!! SO stop changing it !!

10 Years
Posted by Maria Doubell, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday 1 December 2008 at 15:10 UAE time

10 years is not a sentence, its a bit of a punishment.. Nawaf....And what if he got into a argument with the British passengers of the taxi, does that give him the right to just kill people and walk the streets as nothing had happend....please get real.

To Nicola-In Europe Vehicular Manslaughter is punishable by jail
Posted by Brandaid on Sunday 30 November 2008 at 14:03 UAE time

As a former Police Constable, I would think the person would be charged with Vehicular Manslaughter at the very least.

shameful!
Posted by jenny on Sunday 30 November 2008 at 12:39 UAE time

disgusting verdict. the bare minimum should have been 25 years. 3 times he ran her over to 'scare' her - 3 TIMES!

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